Diwali the festival of lights, color and fireworks is celebrated with pageantry, splendor and gaiety in the state of Karnataka. Though the celebrations are different as compared to the rest of India the essence remains the same.
Naraka chaturdashi is a significant day. Lord Bali had become all powerful, invincible and a threat to universal peace. Lord Vishnu then took the 'Vamana Avatar' and came to his kingdom asking for three wishes. He asked for three steps of land which the pompous king readily agreed to give him. With the first step he covered the earth, with the second the heavens and there was no place for the third step. The emperor, true to his promise knelt down offering him his head. Then Vishnu in 'Vamana Avatar' kept his foot on his head and thus defeated King Bali. This day is very auspicious for Kannadigas as they believe Lord Vishnu to be the supreme savior. The victory is observed on the day of the new moon or Amavasya.
Diwali sweets are prepared and houses are cleaned and decked up for the great day of festivities. Entrance is decorated with Torans or door decorations made of artificial flowers, beads and sequins. Puja is performed with ornately decorated puja thalis, camphor aarti, and incense sticks. In south India camphor lit aarti is an integral part of pujas. Goddess Laxmi is ornately decorated with gold jewelry and special Laxmi puja is performed on the second day. The women folk dress up in grand clothes, observe fasting and perform the puja by offering rice, flowers, sweets, sandal paste and coconuts. Offering coconuts to the Gods is also a part of almost all pujas in the state.
As Dilwali is synonymous with Laxmi Puja, lights are lit and the courtyard of houses is decorated with rows of lamps. Diwali is also known as Deepavali in Karnataka. Goddess Laxmi is welcomed into homes with rows of lamps and intricate rangoli patterns drawn at the entrance. I
n Karnataka as in other states, firecrackers are burst when it gets dark and illumination is seen all around.
The third day is Diwali and is an occasion for families to get together. Diwali gifts are exchanged between friends, family and business associates. Various gift items like apparel, Diwali sweets, Diwali decorations and gold jewelry are exchanged during the festive season. Innovative ideas are essential to make Diwali special.
Families separated by distances send gifts to each other. Sending Diwali gifts to India is made easy by online marts. Diwali is one of the very few festivals which is observed by people across India, irrespective of the religion and regional disparity. The specific deities worshipped, may be region specific but the core significance and revelry remains the same. A great day for revering the Gods, Diwali is also special as it emphasizes on pleasant family gatherings and bonding between friends.
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