07/11/2023
Hare Krishna
ISKCON Trichy is inviting you for
a Special program to celebrate Diwali "DEEPOTSAVA" (Festival of Lights)
Come see the Deities glowing with Ghee lamps in our Temple on 13th November 2023 (monday).
5 pm to 8 pm. Deeposav Darshan, Damodar Arathi, lecture and Maha Prasadam.
Now let us Know the Significance of Deepavali.
Deepavali ! Deepavali! Deepavali! What is this Deepavali?
Is this only a festival that we have been following it since time immemorial.
The word ‘ Deep’ means lamp and ávali’ means ‘rows of lamp’. So we can say “Deepavali”is a festival of lights.
What is the significance of Deepavali?
Let us go back to Tetra Yuga to Ayodhaya to find out.
Ayodhaya was ruled by King Dashratha, who was a great virtuous King. He had 3 wives and Kaikayee was his favourite, because she saved his life in the war at a very crucial time. King Dashrath granted her two boons. The King Dashrath had four sons, Lord Rama was the eldest and beloved of all. Sri Ram got married to Mother Sita, daughter of Janak Raja, Kingdom Mithila Nagri. Just before Rama’s Coronation Kaikayee reminded King Dashrath of his two boons. She told him to crown her son Bharat on the throne and second was to banish Sri Ram for 14 years exile to the forest. Ram gladly accepted his mother Kaikayi’s wish and left Ayodhaya accompanied by Mother Sita and Brother Laxman. The grief stricken Dashratha soon died in separation from his beloved son Sri Ram. After few years in the forest ,Sita Mata was lured by the demon King Ravana,Lanka. He was well known as Lankeshwar. Sri Ram with the help of Vanar Sena and General Hanuman, rescued Mother Sita And defeated Ravana. After completion of fourteen years of exile Lord Ram, Mother Sita and Brother Laxman returned to Ayodhaya.
So it is in their honor that “Deepavali” is celebrated.So it is in their honor that “Deepavali” is clelebrated. Deepavali signifies the victory of Good over Evil .While Lord Ramchandra was out of His Kingdom His brother son of Kaikayi took the charge of the Kingdom and on the day on which Lord Ramchandra took the charge of the Kingdom is observed as ‘Deepavali’. It is one of the auspicious festival, also known as festival of light.
Is this the only reason to celebrate Deeepavali? No! There are more historical reason too. Let us know what are the other reasons:
1) Goddess Laxmi’s Birthday – Godess Laxmi incarnated on the New Moon Day(Amvasya) of the Karthik month during churning of the ocean ( Samudra Manthan).
2) Lord Vishnu in his Fifth incarnation as Vaman avatar rescued Laxmi from King Bali.
3) Lord Krishna killed Narakasura: On the day preceding Diwali Lord Krishna killed the demon King Narakasur and rescued 16,000 Princess from his captive i.e Narak Chaturdasi.
4) The return of the Pandavas – Acc to the great epic Mahabharat it was Karthik Amvasya when the Pandavas appeared from their twelve years of banishment as a result of their defeat in the hands of the Kauravas at the game of dice (gambling).
5) The victory of Rama – Acc to Epic Ramayan ,it was the New Moon Day of Karthik when Lord Rama, Mother Sita And Brother Laxman returned to Ayodhaya.
In this way all over the country lamps are lit and homes,shops offices,streets are decorated and fireworks set off in honor of the Lord.
