Diwali
- a Harvest Festival
Historically Diwali signifies a Harvest Festival.
It occurs at the end of a cropping season and has some customs that reinforce
the hypothesis of its having originated as a harvest festival. Every harvest
normally spelt prosperity. The celebration was first started in India by farmers
after they reaped their harvests. They celebrated with joy and offered praises
to God for granting them a good crop.
On the second day of Deepavali, a ritual that is strongly
suggestive of the origin of Deepavali as an harvest festival is performed.
Worship of the Goddess of Wealth, Laxmi and performance of
Aarti are a part of the harvest festival. On this day delicacies are
prepared from pounded semi-cooked rice called Poha or
Pauva. This rice is taken from the fresh harvest available at that
time. This custom is prevalent both in rural and urban areas especially in
Western India.
In rural areas, Diwali signifies only this aspect. The reason being the fact
that Diwali which is celebrated sometime in October/November coincides with the
end of a harvesting season, known as the Kharif season when the
fresh crop of rice is available. Therefore, Diwali is also considered by many
rural Hindus to be the harvest festival when farmers offer prayers, and express
their gratitude to the Almighty for the bounty they received from him.
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Diwali
- the festival of lights
Click here
for a link to craft activities for Diwali
(templates for making Diyas) For more information about
Aarti and what happens in the temple
click here |
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