Article: Diwali- Festival of Lights

The spirit of India is expressed year-round in festivals as diverse as the country's landscapes and as
lively as its people. Enthusiastic celebrations of gods and goddesses, saints and prophets, history,
culture and the advent of new seasons occur almost daily throughout the country. But there is one
festival, that has a color of its own, a festival that brings Light to every nook and corner of this great country. Diwali.
Diwali is a five-day festival representing the start of the Hindu New Year. To really understand the festival we must
understand its history and mythology. It honors the moral victory of Lord Rama and his wife Sita, who return to their
kingdom after defeating an ominous and evil demon. The festivities are dependent on the lunar cycle, but they usually
take place between October and November.
The main event of this festival occurs on the third day. Clay lamps called "diyas" are lit, signifying the victory of good
over evil within the individual. The widespread glow of diyas gives the festival its nickname, the "Festival of Lights." The
fourth day is New Year's Day and is culturally regarded as the most auspicious day to begin any new endeavor.
Sticking to the main plot Festival of Lights, all forms of light plays an imminent role in the festival. Candles, Diyas,
LED lightings etc. Light as a physical entity has an amazing ability, the ability to spread light to even the darkest corners
of our earth. The light in this festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, just as good wins over evil. The
burning candles when they light up the earth and sky, it is supposed to make our atmosphere bright. But thats where the
morality of the festival fades out.
The candles should illuminate the dark in our hearts. There are people out there whose heart woe filled, malnourished,
uneducated, families that try to make both ends meet, they are denied of laughter, they are denied from the light. As a
person who believes in the history of this festival, will understand their true state. What is true joy? True joy is when you
see someone else smile! True joy is when you dispel the dark of the world around our hearts lamp.
It is time to rethink! The Festivals of India has its own signature and its own values. When these festivals drift away to
just absolute showcase of wealth and power, it should be our obligation to bring the love and humanity back to festival.
Because when the flickering flames of lamps and candles, like flowers of different hues do shine, but doesnt light our
heart. Even a Million Lamps Lit may prove futile.

Rashid Mohammed
XII A
Indian Central School