Celebrate Light, Celebrate Life
This Diwali, let us truly move into the light. Let us follow the prayer in the Upanishads: Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya(“Lead us from darkness into light”)
Diwali offers a great reason and a great occasion to celebrate life. It reminds us of those enlightened humans who brought illumination not only into their own lives but also into the lives of those who followed them sincerely. The Buddha gained enlightenment, while meditating under a Bodhi tree and declared: Appo deepo bhav (“Be a light unto yourself.”)
Real festivity begins when we feel a ray of light in our being. How can anyone celebrate when there’s no feeling of light in one’s heart? A heart full of light is playful and spirited and embraces life wholeheartedly. A person without the feeling of light gropes in the darkness and feels miserable. Meditation brings light into our lives and festivity follows naturally. According to Osho, “Festivity, fun, playfulness, celebration—these are the qualities of meditation. A really meditative person is playful. Life is fun for him—a lila, a play.”
Diwali, the festival of lights, is a significant reminder that we need to bring light into our lives. There are mythological reasons to celebrate Diwali—chiefly Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana and return to Ayodhya—but that’s not the main aim. People must meditate and transform their lives, enlighten themselves and spread the light all around.
Osho says: “In India, Hindus and Jainas celebrate the festival of lights. They have different reasons; it’s a coincidence that something happened on the same day in the history of both religions. Hindus celebrate it because Rama was victorious over Ravana. He returned to his capital, Ayodhya, after 14 years of wandering in the forests and mountains. And to mark his return, his people rejoiced with lights and firecrackers. This celebration is observed till today.”
Osho adds, “Mahavira attained enlightenment on this day too and he’s the most important individual in the history of Jainism. Jainas celebrate Mahavira’s attainment of liberation, which was unique. Other than Mahavira, all others who gained enlightenment (even the Buddha) did it on or close to a full-moon night. But Mahavira was enlightened on amawas, a night of no moon, complete darkness.”
Osho also says: “Every religion is born in festivity. Just like when a child is born—playful, festive, alive, celebrating, being irresponsible, not caring about the future, believing in the here and now…”
The much
loved festival of lights, Diwali, was celebrated with traditional
fervour across the country on Thursday. The festival marks the triumph
of light over darkness and the beginning of the Hindu new year. It is
believed that on this day Rama the Hindu god had returned to Ayodhya
after 14 years in exile, so in honour of his return people decorate
their houses with earthen lamps and diyas and illuminate the
sky with fireworks. The festive occasion is also marked with exchange of
sweets and gifts with friends and relatives.
From Prime Minister Narendra Modi
to street vendors in Allahabad, Diwali was celebrated with cheers and
new beginnings. Take a look at how India celebrated Diwali
People crowd a market selling marigold flowers early morning on Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Mumbai, India
Source:
AP
Young girls decorate the house with earthen lamps and rangoli, to celebrate Diwali, in Allahabad.
Source:
AP
PM Modi shares sweets with Indian Army personnel at Siachen Base Camp during an unannounced visit to Siachen on October 23, 2014.
Source:
AFP
A paper balloon being released from a century old Dutta Bari at Bedon Street to celebrate 'Diwali' in Kolkata.
Source:
BCCL
North Coimbatore Flyover was decorated with lights by Kirtilals on the eve of Diwali in Coimbatore.
Source:
J Jackson
Indian Sikh devotees light candles
on the occasion of Bandi Chhor Divas, or Diwali, at the illuminated
Golden Temple in Amritsar
Source:
AFP
People decorates their houses with lanterns and lights as they celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali, in Mumbai
Source:
PTI
Firecrackers illuminate the night sky of Coimbatore during Diwali festival
Source:
J Jackson
Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel share a light moment as they hold sparklers to celebrate Diwali at the India-Pakistan Rajatal
border post, about 45Km from Amritsar.
Source:
AFP
Devotees light lamps in Keshev Dev Temple premises during Diwali Festival celebration in Mathura.
Source:
Reuters
Diwali firework atop CST and South Bombay on 23 Oct.
Fireworks light up the night sky in Ajmer
Source:
AP
Amritsar's Golden Temple was illuminated beautifully on the occasion of Diwali on Thursday.
Source:
AFP
Indian street food vendor lights candles around the edge of his cart to celebrate Diwali, in Allahabad.
Source:
AFP
Roadside vendors prepare garlands of marigold early morning at a market in Mumbai
Source:
AP
India's Akshardham Mandir is illuminated to mark the Hindu Festival Diwali in Gandhinagar, some 30 kms from Ahmedabad
Source:
AFP
A mother holds her child and watches a firecracker light up,in New Delhi.
Source:
AP
WISH YOU ALL LOTS OF LUCK FOR THE YEAR AHEAD.
Source:
AP
