9 Unique Ways In Which Diwali Is Celebrated Auspiciously In Different Parts Of India
India, being a land of different cultures and religions coexisting together harmoniously, offers a list of joyful festivals that keep Indians grooving to the tunes of celebrations throughout the year. Each month bestows a festival upon the people of India among which Diwali or Deepavali is the most popular one. Also known as the festival of lights, Diwali signifies the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and happiness over sadness. The best thing is that the ways of Diwali celebrations differ from region to region across India. However, the essence remains the same, i.e. celebrating all the positive things in life.
So, let’s take a dig at how Diwali is celebrated in different parts of India and peep into an entire Diwali world we have never heard about:
1.Dev Deepawali Of Varanasi
The sacred land of Varanasi celebrates Dev Deepavali or the Diwali of the Gods which takes place fifteen days before Diwali. It is believed that on this day the Gods and Goddesses visit the Earth to take a holy dip in river Ganga. Therefore, devotees gather to offer prayers, flowers, and diyas to goddess Ganga while the priests perform the auspicious Ganga aarti.
Major Attractions: The beautiful rangolis and grand fireworks that adorn the Ganga ghats of Varanasi.
2.Shyama Pujo Of Kolkata
Diwali is a bit different in Kolkata than the one you see in North India. For Bengalis, Diwali is all about worshiping Goddess Kali-the destroyer of evil. Kali puja or Shayama pujo takes place at night in every nook and corner of the city. Apart from Kolkata, some parts of Orissa, Tripura, and Assam also celebrates Diwali by worshiping Kali maa.
Major Attractions: The beautifully decorated Kali pandals and temples that keep the city of joy all lit up on Diwali.
3.Burning Narakasura Effigies In Goa
Unlike the North Indian culture of worshiping Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha on Diwali, Goa worships Lord Krishna on Diwali-who defeated the demon Narkasura. Therefore, Goans celebrate Diwali by burning effigies of Naraksura on Diwali. These effigies are burnt a day before Diwali i.e on choti Diwali
Major Attractions: The competitions of Narkasura idol sculpting that take place all over Goa where many talented craftsmen take part.
4.Beginning Of A New Year In Gujarat
For Gujaratis, the festival of Diwali marks the beginning of a new year and they call it Bestu Varas or New Year’s Day. However, the rituals remain the same as followed in North India. From decorating the house with rangolis, colorful lights, and diyas. The celebration is followed by Bhai Bij where sisters apply a tilak on their brother’s forehead and vow to protect their brothers against all evils.
Major Attractions: The colorful lights and rangolis that marks the beginning of a New Year.
5.Bandi Chhor Divas in Golden Temple, Amritsar
The Sikh community of India Bandi Chhor Divas or Prisoner Liberation Day on Diwali. It was the day when the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobing singh ji was liberated from Gwalior Fort along with 52 other prisoners who were imprisoned by the Mughal emperor, Jahangir. Therefore, on Diwali, the Golden temple in Amritsar is adorned with colorful traditional lamps and thousands of devotees visit the temple for the grand Diwali celebration.
Major Attractions: The heavenly Golden temple illuminated with colorful lights.
6.The Worshiping Of Cows In Maharasthra
In Maharashtra, people celebrate the festival of Diwali in a typical Marathi traditional way. The Marathis celebrates Vasu-Baras- which is a festival observed in the honor of cows wherein married women offer prayers to the cows having calf which symbolizes a woman’s gratitude towards cows for providing milk to their children. This festival also signifies the bond between a mother and her child.
Major Attractions: Women clad in traditional wears worshiping the cows having calf.
7.An Advance Diwali Celebration In Tamil Nadu
The people of Tamil Nadu celebrates Diwali a day before it’s observed by the North Indians. The rituals of Diwali in Tamil Nadu includes an oil bath for the whole family. Houses are beautifully decorated with Kolam (rangoli) and clay lamps. People take an oil bath before sitting for the Diwali puja.
Major Attractions: The oil bath custom in Tamil Nadu on Diwali.
8.The 150 Years Old Kali Puja In Orissa
During the festival of Diwali, a lot happens in the state of Orissa. Firstly, people worship Goddess Kali on Diwali like those in Kolkata. In fact, the Kali puja that happens in Cuttack is believed to be over 150 years old. The people of Orissa also celebrates Bada Badua Daka which is a ritualistic ceremony of offering puja to late ancestors.
Major Attractions: The Hati Ghoda Mithei or animal-shaped sweets are the centre of attraction during Diwali in Orissa.
9.Narration Of Ramayana In Himachal
The people of Himachal Pradesh observes Diwali in a traditional way. As per the Hindu mythology, the festival of Diwali was celebrated for the first time when Lord Rama along with his wife, Sita, and brother, Laxman returned to his home land Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. So, the takes from the Ramayana are narrated and enacted in the form of play during Diwali in Himachal Pradesh.
Major Attractions: The gathering of people of all age group at a place where the Ramayana play takes place.
