Different Ways In Which Diwali Celebrations Across India
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Festivities are a significant part of people’s cultural lives, as they represent pleasure, happiness, and religious devotion. They are not one-dimensional entities but rather a mix of singing, dancing, theatrical expression, and other forms of entertainment. India’s festival of lights, Diwali, is a vivid outpouring of devotion and joy with different regional variants.
Nothing is more socially thrilling than celebrating an auspicious occasion such as Diwali or Deepavali. Everyone thinks of their families, friends, houses, togetherness, and many other things that this sacred and culturally significant festival brings together at this time of year. It’s more than a traditional festival; it’s about happy memories, reunion with all relatives after a lengthy separation, and giving Diwali gifts.
There are different ways in which Diwali is celebrated around India.
Bengal
Diwali is known as Kali Puja in Bengal. People present Goddess Kali with fish, pork, hibiscus flowers, and other offerings on this day. Kali Puja is usually performed in numerous pandals throughout the night. The Kalighat and Dakshineshwar temples in Kolkata are hosting a big celebration.
Uttar Pradesh
Ayodhya, where Lord Rama was born, is currently located in Uttar Pradesh, where the Festival of Lights is one of the most extensively and joyfully observed events. Diwali is a big deal in Varanasi, with a spectacular nightly Ganga Aarti that lights up the whole Ganga with thousands of earthen lamps floating on the water’s surface. People celebrate Diwali by lighting firecrackers and decorating their homes with diyas as chants from priests usher in the evening.
Maharashtra
The people of this state begin their Diwali celebrations by worshipping cows and their calves, which considered divine. Vasubaras the name given to this tradition. Maharashtrians bathe in scented oil early in the morning on the festival’s third day, known as Narakchaturdashi, and then visit a temple. After that, they would treated to a lavish feast of karanji, laddoo, sev, chakli, and other Corporate diwali gifts, Diwali sweets and meals known as Faral. The goddess Lakshmi, along with all the gold jewellery and costly things, worshipped on the fourth and final day.
Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir’s festivals have a timeless grandeur about them. The Dal Lake illuminated during the festival season by thousands of diyas floating in the lake. There can’t be a more tranquil setting to celebrate Diwali than here, with a glimmer in the waters and the gorgeous mountains in the background.
Punjab
In Punjab, Diwali is more than simply another festival. Winter has arrived in this North Indian state, and the state where the Green Revolution began is gearing up for winter crops and harvest. On this day, Punjabi Hindus worship Lakshmi, and Sikhs celebrate the festival in gurudwaras around the country, particularly in the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Goa
Unlike North Indian tradition, which celebrates Diwali by honouring Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesha, Goa honours Lord Krishna, who slew the monster Narkasura. As a result, Goans celebrate Diwali by burning Naraksura effigies. These effigies burned on Choti Diwali, the day before Diwali.
Odisha
On the festival of Diwali, people in Odisha perform Kauriya Kathi. It is a holy ritual in which people honour their forefathers and mothers. They light jute sticks to invoke their forefathers and ask for their blessings. Odias adore Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Kali during Diwali.
Tamil Nadu
While the majority of the country identifies Diwali Celebrations with the bursting of crackers at sunset, this occurs during the day in Tamil Nadu. People get up early in the morning to take a traditional oil bath. Fragrant pepper, betel leaves, and other herbs infused with hot oil for a pre-bath massage. After bathing, new clothes put on, and a tonic known as “Deepavali Lehiyam” consumed as a prelude to the next feast. Then there’s an explosion of crackers and sparkles.
The festivities here end in the evening when they are at their peak in other regions of India. The killing of Narakasura, a feared demon, at the hands of Lord Krishna commemorated by most Tamils on this day.
