Comments on: Do you know the story behind Diwali? http://blastmagazine.com/the-magazine/culturefashion/do-you-know-the-story-behind-diwali/ Video games, movies, music, and smart magazine journalism Sat, 26 May 2012 02:45:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Kala kalyanram http://blastmagazine.com/the-magazine/culturefashion/do-you-know-the-story-behind-diwali/comment-page-1/#comment-14283 Kala kalyanram Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:43:03 +0000 http://blastmagazine.com/?p=30793#comment-14283 Diwali is celebrated in South India as it signifies the triumph of good over evil. In south India the widespread belief is the on this day, Lord Krishna triumphed over the demon king Narakasura. The Narakasur Legend of Diwali goes like this.Narkasura was believed to be a demon of filth, covered in dirt. He was giant who was often good but at times, behaved very badly. He used to kidnap beautiful young women and force them to live with him. The gods asked Lord Krishna for help, and after a mighty battle he killed the demon, freed the girls and recovered the earrings First, Krishna had to fight with a five-headed monster that guarded the demon's home. The rescue of the 16,000 girls is said to be the origin of the story that Krishna had 16,000 wives, Krishna granted Narakasur one last request, because of the good deeds he had done. Narkasura hoped that his death might bring joy to others. So, before being killed, he cried, " Let this day be celebrated as a day of feasting in the World!" Krishna granted his request and the women were freed. After his victory Krishna returned very early in the morning and was bathed and massaged with scented oils. Taking an early morning bath with oil is still a Deepavali tradition.For Hindus, this Diwali story is a reminder that good can defeat evil. But this Diwali legend is known only in the Western and Southern India, it is not known in the north and east. In Western and Southern India Hindus smash a bitter fruit (called Kaarita) with their big toe on Naraka-chaturdashi day. This is done after having a ceremonial bath in which sandalwood paste and sweet smelling essences are used to re-enact the slaying of the demon Narakasura by Lord Sri Krishna. This Narakachaturdashi day therefore is dedicated to lights and prayers heralding a future full of joy and laughter. Diwali is celebrated in South India as it signifies the triumph of good over evil. In south India the widespread belief is the on this day, Lord Krishna triumphed over the demon king Narakasura. The Narakasur Legend of Diwali goes like this.Narkasura was believed to be a demon of filth, covered in dirt. He was giant who was often good but at times, behaved very badly. He used to kidnap beautiful young women and force them to live with him.

The gods asked Lord Krishna for help, and after a mighty battle he killed the demon, freed the girls and recovered the earrings First, Krishna had to fight with a five-headed monster that guarded the demon’s home. The rescue of the 16,000 girls is said to be the origin of the story that Krishna had 16,000 wives, Krishna granted Narakasur one last request, because of the good deeds he had done. Narkasura hoped that his death might bring joy to others. So, before being killed, he cried, ” Let this day be celebrated as a day of feasting in the World!” Krishna granted his request and the women were freed.

After his victory Krishna returned very early in the morning and was bathed and massaged with scented oils. Taking an early morning bath with oil is still a Deepavali tradition.For Hindus, this Diwali story is a reminder that good can defeat evil.

But this Diwali legend is known only in the Western and Southern India, it is not known in the north and east. In Western and Southern India Hindus smash a bitter fruit (called Kaarita) with their big toe on Naraka-chaturdashi day. This is done after having a ceremonial bath in which sandalwood paste and sweet smelling essences are used to re-enact the slaying of the demon Narakasura by Lord Sri Krishna. This Narakachaturdashi day therefore is dedicated to lights and prayers heralding a future full of joy and laughter.

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