subject: Diwali - The Beautiful Festival Of Lights [print this page] Diwali also called the festival of lights has a history that is perhaps old as time itself. Although those who celebrate it relish the festive sweets, along with the pretty decorative arrangements using clay lamps, the festival is symbolic of more than what is on the outside.
The history of the festival is from where the true story of the origin of the festival lies. However, the origin of the festival itself is replete with many legends enclosed in Hindu scriptures. The many legends associated with the festival are part of the reason why five days have been designated for the celebration of Diwali.
Each of the five days has a sacred myth or a ritual attached with it. The five days are Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Diwali, Padwa and Bhaiya-Dooj. The first day is derived from the word Dhan which signifies wealth, and so the date is considered as being good for business and trade. According to Hindu legend the son of King Hima was foretold to die after four days of his marriage. His horoscope predicted that he would die through a snake bite.
So, when the fourth day approached the princes wife began lighting many lamps and laid out gold coins in heaps to the entrance of the room of her husband. Under the guise of a snake the god of death approached but was blinded by the glistening coins and the light from the lamps. It is said the snake listened to the songs of the wife about the prince and left quietly the next day.
The myth associated with the second day of Diwali is more associated with the overall theme of dispelling darkness. Here the second day known as Choti Diwali refers to King Bali who was very powerful and the other gods considered him a threat.
The God Vishnu in the form of a child decides to confront the King by asking him to grant him a piece of land as much as his feet could cover in three footsteps. King Bali obliges and with the first step God Vishnu staked his claim on the entire heaven, the second the earth and the final step with King Balis consent placed it on his head. By doing so he was able to push the King into the under world. But because he was generous, the God Vishnu allowed King Bali to return to earth once a year and light lamps to dispel darkness which is interpreted as the dispelling of ignorance.
The festival of lights is celebrated by those of the Hindu faith all over the world, and that includes countries like Malaysia as well. When visiting Malaysia staying at a central Kuala Lumpur hotel would be convenient. A hotel such as the Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur is a hotel in Kuala Lumpur that is close to the business district and has exceptional service.
by: Pushpitha Wijesinghe
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