Hari decides to return to his village of Thul for Diwali, which is clearly an important celebration for the family. What is Diwali, and why is it important to the characters in Village by the Sea?
Diwali, also known as Dipawali or Divali, is a Hindu holiday in which Indians set out clay lamps outside their homes and light the oil within them to symbolize the inner light that staves off spiritual darkness. It begins on the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina and continues to the second day of the light half of Kartikka; this corresponds roughly to late October/November in the Gregorian calendar. The name comes from the Sanskrit term dipavali, which means “row of lights.” Diwali can be dated back to ancient India and may have been a harvest festival.
Hindus and non-Hindus alike celebrate it, with different stories celebrated by different regions and religions. In northern India, the story is of King Rama returning to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana by lighting the lamps. In southern India, it is a celebration of Lord Krishna defeating the demon Narakasura. And in western India, it celebrates Lord Vishnu the Preserver exiling the demon King Bali to the netherworld.
Diwali is celebrated over five days. On Day One, Indians clean their homes and purchase gold or kitchen utensils to procure good fortune. On Day Two, they decorate their homes with the clay lamps and make patterns—rangoli—on the floor with colored powders or sand. On Day Three, the main day, the families pray to the goddess Lakshmi and then feast and set off fireworks. On Day Four, which is the first day of the New Year, friends and relatives celebrate together. And on Day Five, brothers visit their married sisters, and the sisters prepare a feast for their brothers. During the festivities, gambling is encouraged to ensure good luck, and merchants often open new account books. Most families choose to prepare their own favorite meals for the occasion.
According to a prominent world religions website, the spiritual significance of Diwali includes the following themes and customs:
Give and forgive…there is an air of freedom, festivity, and friendliness everywhere…
Rise and shine. Waking up during the Brahmamuhurta (at 4 a.m., or 1 1/2 hours before sunrise) is a great blessing from the standpoint of health, ethical discipline, efficiency in work, and spiritual advancement...
Unite and unify. Diwali is a unifying event, and it can soften even the hardest of hearts. It is a time when people mingle about in joy and embrace one another…
Prosper and progress. On this day, Hindu merchants in North India open their new account books and pray for success and prosperity during the coming year. People buy new clothes for the family. Employers, too, purchase new clothes for their employees. Homes are cleaned and decorated by day and illuminated by night with earthen oil lamps… This festival instills charity in the hearts of people, who perform good deeds…
Illuminate your inner self. The lights of Diwali also signify a time of inner illumination. Hindus believe that the light of lights is the one that steadily shines in the chamber of the heart. Sitting quietly and fixing the mind on this supreme light illuminates the soul. It is an opportunity to cultivate and enjoy eternal bliss.
