Deepavali is among the few festivals celebrated with equal fervour across different parts of India, transcending regional and cultural boundaries. The festival, which is also observed in several countries outside India, is not confined to a single day but comprises five days of rituals, each with its own significance and traditions.The celebrations begin with Dhanteras on Nov 7, followed by Naraka Chaturdashi on Nov 8. Lakshmi Puja, the most significant ritual of the festival, starts at 7.41pm Sunday and is observed over three days in several households. While families may continue the worship until Tuesday, commercial establishments generally conclude the rituals on Sunday or the following morning.The celebrations also reflect the diversity of regional customs. In some communities, people worship water boilers, decorating them with flowers and rangoli. During Brahma Muhurta, between 4am and 5am, devotees perform rituals commemorating Lord Krishna’s victory over Narakasura and the liberation of 16,000 women. This is followed by wearing new clothes, bursting firecrackers and exchanging sweets and greetings.For Gujaratis and certain communities in North India, Deepavali marks the beginning of the new year. Traditionally, traders begin their financial year on the first day of Kartika, which falls on Nov 10 this year.During Lakshmi Puja, devotees worship the goddess with a decorated lalasha containing cash, jewellery and other auspicious items, praying for prosperity and abundance in the year ahead.At its heart, Deepavali represents the movement from darkness towards light. The word itself means a row of lights, and lighting oil lamps is central to the celebrations. The Yama Deepa ritual, in which an oil lamp is placed at the highest accessible point of the house, is observed to seek blessings of the elders and protection.(Daivajna Somayaji is also Sringeri Sharadha Peetha Dharmadhikari)
