Diwali is a lively and sparkling occasion. It is a festival full of ecstasy and
joy. This festival actually celebrates the abundance of autumn harvest and is
dedicated to numerous gods and goddesses. It also marks the auspicious ceremony
of the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after a long exile of fourteen years.
Diwali is also regarded as the day of the rebirth of Goddess Laxmi from the
‘Samudra Manthan’ that the Gods and Demons performed together in order to get
the ‘drink of immortality’. That is why this day is dedicated to Lakshmi, whose
blessings are essential for a prosperous, fruitful and peaceful life. There are
several other mythological stories related to Diwali. If you want to know more,
read on.
Deepavali Legends & Stories
Goddess Lakshmi
It is said that the occasion of Diwali is actually the birth anniversary of
Goddess Lakshmi. As per Legends, the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi was
re-incarnated on the new moon day (amaavasyaa) of the Kartik month while the
samudra-manthan by the Gods and Demons. This is why Diwali is celebrated to mark
the importance of this day and seek the blessings of Goddess of prosperity for a
lucky and happy future ahead.
Lord Krishna
Some of the mythological books also relate the occasion of Diwali to Lord
Krishna’s victory over Narkasur. It is said that on the day preceding Diwali,
Lord Krishna killed the demon king Narakasur and rescued 16,000 women from his
imprisonment. Krishna then accepted these 16,000 women as his wife in order to
save them from any kind of public embarrassment. This celebration of their
freedom and victory of truth went on for two days including the Diwali day as a
victory festival.
Pandavas
According to 'Mahabharata', Diwali is celebrated in order to mark the return of
the Pandavas from 12 year exile. It is said that on the occasion of ‘Kartik
Amavashya', the Pandavas were welcomed by the people of their hometown by
lighting earthen lamps. Since then Diwali is celebrated to mark the return of
Pandava brothers after a long rigorous exile.
Lord Rama
According to the 'Ramayana', it was the new moon day of Kartik when Lord Ram,
along with his wife Sita and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after killing the ten
headed Ravana and conquering his empire ‘Lanka’ as well as establishing a
kingdom of peace and prosperity there. The citizens of Ayodhya overjoyed by the
return of their dear prince lightened the entire city with the earthen lamps and
illuminated it like never before. It was when the first ‘ Diwali’ was
celebrated.
Vikramaditya
It is said that the Diwali also marks the auspicious occasion of a legendary
Hindu King Vikramaditya. It is said that it is also one of the reasons for which
Diwali is regarded as one of the most important festival for Hindus.
