Why is Diwali not celebrated in these parts of India? Exploring the reasons
Diwali, also known as Deepawali, means "a row or series of lights." It is a festival of lights celebrated on the new moon day of the Kartik month. It is observed to honor Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
This festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. Diwali represents various concepts such as the triumph of good over evil, hope over despair, and more. In India, preparations for Diwali begin in almost every home in the lead-up to the festival. Various rituals and customs are performed, each unique in its own way. Diwali is a grand festival celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout India. People engage in diverse preparations for Diwali, including cleaning homes and creating rangoli designs.
Why is Diwali Celebrated?
Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. Diwali is celebrated in various ways across the country, such as lighting lamps, bursting firecrackers, and more. However, there is one place in India where Diwali is not widely celebrated. Let's explore why.
Kerala does not traditionally celebrate Diwali. A mythological story is believed to be the reason behind this. According to legend, King Bali died on the day of Diwali in Kerala. Consequently, people in Kerala do not celebrate Diwali, and there is no festive atmosphere on this day. Kerala's native population does not observe Diwali. The people of Kerala have deep roots in their culture, which is why they have successfully preserved their ancient traditions and customs to this day.
Traditional Reasons Behind Diwali
Traditionally, Diwali is celebrated for ten days to mark the new harvest season. Since 800 AD, this festival has been celebrated with enthusiasm in Kerala, including shopping festivals, socio-cultural events, games, festivities, and fireworks. It can thus be said that for the rest of India, Diwali is what Onam is for Kerala. Keralites are busy with Onam festivities leading up to Diwali, while others are preparing for Christmas, as Kerala also celebrates this festival with great fervor.
According to religious beliefs, Diwali celebrates the joyous return of Lord Rama to his home and holds significance in relation to the Ramayana. However, many Malayalis do not worship Lord Rama as a deity. Therefore, the Diwali celebrations haven't gained popularity in Kerala. It can be said that the greatest beauty of Indian culture lies in its diversity, and unity in diversity is the strength of India. While some festivals and traditions are celebrated uniformly across India, others are specific to certain regions or states, such as Diwali, which is not widely celebrated in Kerala.
Note: The information above is based on publicly available information and social beliefs. subkuz.com does not validate its accuracy. Consult a specialist before using any remedies.
