Kamasutra mentions the Yaksha-ratri as among the three grand festivals celebrated across the country in contrast to local festivals. Later writers like Hemachandra (11th century CE) have explicitly equated Yaksha-ratri to Diwali or Dipalika. Yaksha-ratri was celebrated on the full moon night of Kartika and involved yagyas and gambling. In some parts of the country, diyas or earthen lamps are laid out outside the house on the night of Dhanteras. They are laid in the southern direction by the lady of the house. The diya burns the whole night to drive away evil spirits, Yakshas who can be both nice or malevolent. This practice is called Yam ka diya, Yama’s lamp.

Source: Some Notes on the History of Diwali Festival, P.K. Gode

Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons

King Harshavardhana of Kannauj (now in Uttar Pradesh) wrote many books. In his book Nagananda he refers to deepa-pratipad-utsava, festival of lighting lamps. An even earlier book Neelamata-purana of around 500CE refers to ‘all around illumination’ at the Deep-mala festival. The practice of lighting diyas on Diwali is indeed a very ancient practice.

Source: Some Notes on the History of Diwali Festival, P.K. Gode

Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Bhaubij or Bhaidooj is also called Yama-dwitya and is normally celebrated a day after Diwali. Hemadri’s Chaturvarg Chintamani of 13th century describes the Bhaubij festival. It quotes the story from Bhavishya Purana which states that once Yamuna (also called Yami) had hosted her brother Yama, the God of death at her house. It says that since that time this festival was observed by brothers and sisters. A marathi text of 13th century, Lilacharitra, describes how it is celebrated. It states people cooked choice dishes like modak and laddoo.

Source: Some Notes on the History of Diwali Festival, P.K. Gode

Picture Credit: http://hindumyths.blogspot.com/2013/10/47-yama-and-yami.html

Al Beruni came to India with the forces of Mahmud of Ghazni in 11th century. He wrote a famous book Tehkeek-e-Hind (Discovery of India). The Diwali description of Al Beruni is very close to how modern day Diwali is celebrated. He describes Diwali thus, “1st Karthika or new moon day, when the sun marches in Libra is called Diwali. Then people bathe, dress festively, make presents to each other of areca nuts & betel leaves; they ride to the temples to give alms and play merrily with each other till noon. In the night they light a great number of lamps in every place so that the air is perfectly clear. The cause of the festival is that Laxmi, the wife of Vasudeva once a year on this day liberates Bali, the son of Virochana, who is the prisoner in the seventh earth. Therefore the festival is called Balirajya i.e. the principality of Bali.” One of the days of Diwali festival is called Bali Pratipada.

Source: Some Notes on the History of Diwali Festival, P.K. Gode

Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons

In South India Diwali is associated with day of the killing of Narakasura by Satyabhama. Naraka was the King of Pragjyotisha, Kamrup in Assam. He was a powerful king who became drunk with power and conquered the earth and enslaved 16000 women. He also received a boon from Brahma to have power over all males. Krishna fought Narakasura and was hit by the thunderbolt of Narakasura. Krishna feigned injury and collapsed. In rage, Satyabhama shot an arrow and killed Narakasura. Later, Narakasura’s son Bhagadadta, a legendary warrior would fight on the side of the Kauravas. It would take the might of Arjuna to kill Bhagadatta.

In the picture you can see Krishna battling Narakasura who is seated on an elephant.

Source: Hindu Festivals and Sacred Days, Ramakrishna Math

Diwali – Festival of Lights, Rina Singh

Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons

In Bengali tradition Kali Puja is celebrated on the night of Diwali. The night worship is perhaps a nod to the tantric origins of the worship. According to a legend, Lord Shiva lay down on the path of goddess Kali, who went on a rampage slaughtering demons. After she stepped unknowingly on Shiva’s bare body, she calmed down. The festival is celebrated to control ego and other negative tendencies that hinder spiritual progress.

Source: Hindu Festivals and Sacred Days, Ramakrishna Math

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/diwali-kali-puja-onam-naraka-chaturdasi-celebrated-return-of-rama-mahabali-349147-2016-10-29

Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons

On the day following Diwali, Govardhan Puja is celebrated in northern and western India. Several varieties of food are heaped in the shape of a mountain representing Govardhan Giri. The feast is known as Annakoot, meaning mountain of food.

The picture is that of an see ISCKON celebration of Govardhan Puja in Vrindavan – see the recreation of the Govardhan mountain with food on it.

Source: Bhoga Naivedyam, Sujata Shukla

Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Dhanavantri is considered the God of Ayurveda and brings good health and prosperity. Hindus consider it auspicious on this day to make new purchases of utensils or any item made of metal. As per legend Dhanvantri is supposed to have emerged from the churning of the celestial ocean, Samudra manthan bearing a kalash (utensil) full of amrit (nectar).

In the picture you can see Dhanvantri holding Amrita Kalash (medicine pot) on walls of Keshava Temple, at Somanathapura, Karnataka.

Source: Dr. Shreenand Bapat’s Lecture History of Diwali, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute

Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons

As per Jain tradition, Lord Mahavira attained Nirvana on Diwali. Jains celebrate this occasion by lighting lamps. Laxmi Puja and the worship of books of accounts are also part of Jain tradition.

Source: Some Notes on the History of Diwali Festival, P.K. Gode

Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Guru Hargobindji is the sixth Guru of Sikhs and is the son of Guru Arjan Ji who was killed by Jehangir. Guru Hargobindji wanted to avenge his father’s death and started building an army. Threatened by this, Jehangir imprisoned him in Gwalior fort. Sikhs protested his imprisonment and forced Jehangir to order the release of the Guru. By a ruse, Guru Hargobindji also secured the release of 52 other Kings who had been imprisoned with him and then marched to Amritsar. The city was supposed to have been lit to welcome him just like it was lit to welcome Lord Rama. Diwali is celebrated as Bandi Chor Diwas to celebrate his release.

Source: Diwali – Festival of Llights, Rina Singh

Picture Credit: http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00routesdata/1500_1599/sikhism/bandichor/bandichor.html

Wikimedia Commons

One of the most enduring motifs throughout Indian art has been Shiva and Parvati playing a game of dice. The Puranic tradition insists that the entire world is created as a result of this divine play between Shiva and Parvati, representing Purusha and Prakriti, with each move of the players mirroring different states of the world, potential or realised. The dice game between Shiva & Parvati is depicted in many sculptures especially in Western India. Traditionally, Shiva loses but there are a few rare reliefs where Shiva wins by cheating. On such occasions, Parvati lifts her hand and expresses vismaya or amazement. Vismaya is an important part of Shiva–Parvati games.

In the picture – Sculpture at Ellora. Parvati defeats Shiva at gambling. She asks with Her hand in the quizzical mode as to why He is cheating. He asks for one more chance by raising His right index finger.

This is very vividly captured in this Deepavali Special Edition of Kalki, a Tamil magazine in the year 1965.

Source: Hindu Festivals and Sacred Days, Ramakrishna Math

https://www.sahapedia.org/towards-cultural-history-indian-board-games-backgammon-chaupar-and-chaturanga

Picture Credit: https://indianexpress.com/article/religion/yours-faithfully-when-goddess-parvati-defeated-lord-shiva-at-dice-on-mount-kailash-4896859/

Kalki, 1965

King Vikramaditya is the celebrated king who reigned from Ujjain. Several subsequent kings also took the name of Vikramaditya which is a reflection of his glory. Vikramaditya started his reign in 57 BCE defeating the Shakas. Diwali is celebrated to mark the start of his reign and the Vikram Samvat. Please note that there is no historical proof of a Vikramaditya around 57 BCE.

In the picture you can see a page from an almanac for the fortnight of Shraavana Shukla Paksha (August 1911) with the headings Vikram Samvat 1968, Saka Samvat 1833 and Nepal Sambat 1031.

Source: Some Notes on the History of Diwali Festival, P.K. Gode

Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Kukkur Tihar is the second day of Diwali in Nepal. All dogs, including street dogs are decorated with big red tikkas on their foreheads, garlanded, fed lavishly and worshipped with Arati. The dogs are worshipped as the vehicle of Bhairava, in which role they guard homes from theft and destruction.

Source: Animals and Hinduism – Nanditha Krishna

Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Bharata ruled from Nandigram during Rama’s exile. When Rama was returning to Ajodhya, Hanuman came in advance and met Bharata here. Rama wanted to confirm that Bharata desired the return of Rama to Ajodhya to take up the throne. Therefore Hanuman came in disguise as a Brahmin and prompted Bharata to reveal his mind. The temple here shows Bharata and Hanuman in embrace after Hanuman revealed to Bharata his true form. Bharata received Rama at Nandigram. The Jata Kund here is believed to be the place where Lord Rama and Lakshman cut their matted hair at the end of their exile.

Source: In the Footsteps of Rama, Vikrant Pande and Neelesh Kulkarni

Uttar Pradesh A to Z, UP Tourism

Picture Credit: Up Tourism