Deepawali - Festival of Lights

India is a country of fairs, festivals and celebrations, There is no season in India without its particular festivals and festivities. They make life enjoyable and colorful by breaking the drudgery and monetary or routine life. Dipawali or Diwali is a major Indian festival observed with much enthusiasm, gay abandon and good preparation. It comes every year after rainy season in the Hindu month of Kartika (October - November). During this age-old festival there is festivity everywhere and people enjoy to their hearts' content. The festivity is all pervasive and all the communities take an active part in the celebration.

During Diwali, days houses, shops and establishments are thoroughly cleaned, white-washed and repaired and then tastefully decorated. All over the cities, towns and villages there are meals and fairs and special shops are set up to sell sweets, fire crackers, lamps, pots and pans, fruits, flowers, toys, gift items etc. People are on a buying spree and purchase a lot of things including sweets, jewelry, new clothes and costly gifts. The bazzars and fairs are overcrowded and the businessman have excellent sales and profits.

It is an occasion of merry-making, exchange of sweets, gifts, greetings, good-wishes and for asking forgiveness from one another. At night earthen lamps are lit, fire-crackers burnt and visits are paid to friends and relatives. The exchange of pleasantries, gifts and sweets etc. give the much needed relief from the tensions, worries and routine of daily life. But gradually the earthen lamps are being replaced by candles and electric lights. This has affected the potter badly and his income has dwindled. The festival reminds us of Lord Rama's triumphant return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana of Lanka. On this day Rama was crowned as king of Ayodhya and celebrations were held on a large scale. And every nook and corner was lighted with lamps at night. During night Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth is worshipped and her blessings sought. The businessmen close their old accounts and open new books on this auspicious day. The Jains celebrate it because Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara obtained Nirvana on this day.

[caption id="attachment_2948" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Lamp of Diwali[/caption]

The festival is being increasingly used to give expensive gifts by the contractors, businessmen, power brokers etc., to the politicians, bureau crates, and officers to seek their illegal favor in near future. This is a very corrupt practice being indulged in. Gifts worth crores rupees are showered with a definite purpose of getting undue favors, sanction etc. drinking and gambling are other evils associated with the festival. People indulge in drinking and create scenes. Many people play cards and gamble. The stakes are very high and bids placed amount to lakhs of rupees. Thus, black and illgotten money is freel.