What aspects of tradition should we retain while making Diwali a modern festival?

Question

Is Diwali becoming over-commercialised with every passing year? Are age-old traditions making way for modern practices like greeting cards, gambling, etc.? Or are we too steeped in tradition to realise that change is inevitable?

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Answer 1

Each festivity has some definite base in the religious and socio-culture beliefs of the community. The greatest, oldest and widely celebrated festival of India, the Diwali (shortened version of DEEPAWALI, meaning arrays of lights), had its origin in the celebrations following victorious return of Shri Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile. The symbol of great reverence Shri Ram was so adored by the people of Ayodhya that their joy knew no bounds at the news of Shri Ram setting his feet back to the land. It was a perfect occasion for a befitting gaiety with pomp, to remind the evil forces – present or the posterity – of inevitable destruction at the hands of the good, sooner than later. As the celebration marked victory of virtue over vile, the occasion took the shape of religious touch and was soon incorporated in the annual rituals.

As with other celebrations, people tend to forgive and forget, in terms of religious preaching, all bitterness, enmity, differences, and malice, to widen the scope and magnitude of revelry. To add to the spirit, some material inputs are brought into play, to compliment the occasion and to make it memorable. Everything NEW is brought to mark the great occasion – be it personal new looks, new apparels / appliances, new look for the household and its surroundings or the new dimensions to the new / existing relations – new pattern of behaviour or belief is reserved for the occasion to take new turn promising better hope for the future. New people are brought into the fold to enlarge the aggregate fervour. Therefore, in reality, we see, people adapting to changes in the environment, and incorporating it in the festivity, wherever need arises, to make it updated / upgraded with time.

So, what we find today is the latest version of DEEPAWALI, that we had one, as above-mentioned, some thousands of generation back. Nothing has changed since then. The spirit remains the same, the practice remains the same, and the GAIETY is the one, most sought after. New clothes, new acquisitions, new looks, redeeming relations, community-brotherhood, prayer to GODDESS of WEALTH & PROSPERITY to shower her eternal bliss on the mortals on even greater scale, to fill every corner of the land with prosperity and happiness, the ultimate in this materialistic world – everything remains the same.

But alas, it is not to be so. The great and widening difference is, in the quality of spirit. There is nothing denying the fact that the means and access, of people then and now, has undergone sea changes. The family that filled the entire village is now scattered as hundreds of nuclear families, in the length and breadth of this country, and abroad too. The source of livelihood then was agriculture, forest products, animal husbandry and personal avocations. Today, the source of one’s survival is mostly “Service” of ever-unfolding description, in tandem with social necessity, which has widened the gap between consanguines. The Mother Nature, which used to take care of everyone’s needs, is fast being replaced by artificial ‘scientifically-discovered’ alternatives, which brings more misery than satisfying needs.

So, given the above backdrop, the Diwali has got to be celebrated after all, year after year, and this year being no exception, it has sought to be celebrated retaining essential traditional flavour.

But, I am at a loss, how would one reconcile with the social and relational ‘gap’ factor, which is more, of material mentally, then physical. Secondly, the commercial world, ever-ready to exploit your needs by increasingly intruding in our personal lives and offering us their care and wares, at a price, and reducing us to the level of virtually non-functioning, has stole the cream of all revelry. So the market culture has, at last, set in to shape your ideas and plans, to suit your taste and pocket. We have yielded to the lure of commercialisation, forgetting that the true happiness and creativity lies in the pains of labour. If such over-commercialisation has bereft us of natural rejoices, that could have come as a result of all pains of month-long preparations, as the earlier generations used to do, where it will lead us to tomorrow, is anybody’s guess.

Talking about negative activities, like gambling, betting, drinking, partying etc., these are associated with mental make-up, and not strictly has anything to do with the festivity of Diwali, specifically. It is simply, a way of one’s own way of enjoying or destroying oneself, which is more of a habitual compulsion then choice. Their presence can never dampen the spirit of DIWALI, of we ordinary mortals, because their area of activities are mostly in isolation.

It is therefore a multi-dimensional mind-boggling problem of equibalancing the traditionality with the modernity, to commerciality, to negativity, to inevitability, to….the list is endless.

If you need to celebrate it in the spirit of material rituality, you have advices galore in these columns, by now. The choice is yours. That is, lighting, Diyas, sweets, new clothes, Pujan, family / social get-together, pleasantries, good-wishes, fireworks, visits to elderly, their blessings (ashirvads), new commitments, entertainments, rejoices, all-funs and merry-making etc. But for all its labour, it would all seem superficial. Why? Because the very soul is missing. Missing? Why ? Because, from its original form and magnitude it has gone on changing its elements, size and character over the generation. And no help can rejuvenate it to its glorious past. So, we should be rest content with the form we presently have. Have it in full, and share it with near and dear ones in full measure. Take lessons from the past, live in the present with an eye on the future. Only then we can have a proper balance between the tradition and the inevitable change.

Wishing all the best for the grand occasion.

Answer 2

HI friends,
when i make my point tradition remains the same whether we are in modern or ancient india. At the most people must and should follow some of the customary things like offering prayers, making pujas and cleaning house. Neat and tidy is the main concept behind diwali festival. The belief raises that goddess of wealth, Laxmi enters the house which is clean and green and showers the wealth in the house.
We may not believe such tales anymore as people are modern now. Atleast we can think that our ancestors have opted this policy to implement the tidiness concept in our sorroundings.

When it comes to modernisation, i think diwali is the festival in india where every child likes to play and enjoy with lights. I want to share my happiness with the unpriviliged and poor people by providing the sweets and crackers.

By the way why is that people talk about environment pollution only on Diwali?? Is it not happening Daily?? I hope staying away from crackers desnot solve the problem. You may say the pollution level rises to the maximum level only on that day, but how many people are able to celebrate it in that level of causing pollution?? we fire the crackers that to for 1-2 hrs, the retailors, shop keepers and rich are the ones who make it in a huge way by bursting crackers.
For the people who are making it in a small scale Its meant to be fun and exciting.

Ofcourse sending greetings and flowers are fine. But why is that people are crazy in exchanging kurkures, lays and cholocates?? its not our culture. Try to share the indian sweets and savouries. Iam sure they would love them.

Try to plant a tree a year, water the plants, save the resources and atleast try to help a needy once a year. These things are enough to fuse the modern and traditional way of celebration.

Stop preachings and sayings like Dont pollute the city.
instead Start saving the environment by doing some actions.

Answer 3

It is rightly said that Diwali is becoming over-commercialised with every passing year. As we are becoming more and more westernised some of us are forgetting our age-old traditions. Our age-old traditions should be continued to flourish. I don't criticise the modernity but modernity should be in the thoughts of the people, in their view points,in their interpretations of things. Gambling all during night on Diwali is certainly an evil which should not be practised. The tradition of doing the Lakshmi Puja together with the family & cleaning and decorating the house for the welcome should be retained while making Diwali a modern festival. Moreover the modern Diwali festival has become a luxurious and lavish affair which should be avoided. It should be as simple as possible. Ghee diyas should be used instead of wax candles and electric bulbs. There should not be much use of crackers.

Answer 4

Diwali is becoming over-commercialised with every passing year. As we are becoming more and more westernised some of us are forgetting our age-old traditions. Our age-old traditions should be continued to flourish. I don't criticise the modernity but modernity should be in the thoughts of the people, in their view points,in their interpretations of things. Gambling all during night on Diwali is certainly an evil which should not be practised. The tradition of doing the Lakshmi Puja together with the family & cleaning and decorating the house for the welcome should be retained while making Diwali a modern festival. Moreover the modern Diwali festival has become a luxurious and lavish affair which should be avoided. It should be as simple as possible. Ghee diyas should be used instead of wax candles and electric bulbs. There should not be much use of crackers.

Answer 5

lised with every passing year. As we are becoming more and more westernised some of us are forgetting our age-old traditions. Our age-old traditions should be continued to flourish. I don't criticise the modernity but modernity should be in the thoughts of the people, in their view points,in their interpretations of things. Gambling all during night on Diwali is certainly an evil which should not be practised. The tradition of doing the Lakshmi Puja together with the family & cleaning and decorating the house for the welcome should be retained while making Diwali a modern festival. Moreover the modern Diwali festival has become a luxurious and lavish affair which should be avoided. It should be as simple as possible. Ghee diyas should be used instead of wax candles and electric bulbs. There should not be much use of crackers.

Answer 6

Festivals does get distorted because the young generations are not made aware of the reason behind each festival. The traditions are not enforced but given a casual overlook. If the next generation understands the reason why Diwali is celebrated, how it came about, what do each day of the 5 days represent, how did our ancestors celebrate it, the significance of each Puja like Ganesh Puja and Laxmi Puja. They are just not for getting wealth but it has deeper meanings maybe then we can all preserve our culture. There is no shortcut or blame it on all the glamour world and commercialization. Parents and elders should make the effort to put down the traditions and explain the significance and not just materialistically celebrate the festival of lights- Diwali. It is easy to point fingers but the teachings should be imbibed from every household.

Answer 7

One of the grandest festivals celebrated across the world is Diwali or Deepavali, which means row of lights.

I very well agree with you that the Modern Day Diwali is a distorted version of the peacful Diwali which used to be enjoyed by our fore fathers and looked upon whole of the years during our childhood days. The lighting, sweets and celebrations have taken over by crackers, drinking parties and gambling which are posing a negative impact on the society as a whole.

We can still enjoy the festival in the modern way keeping our traditions intact and maybe following some of the things mentioned below:
Lighting up the entire house, decorating it, making rongolis outside the porch of the house, shopping for new clothes, bursting crackers (not the loud and polluting ones but small ones like chakris, phool jahri etc), distributing sweets.
We can also organize melas where plenty of activities can take place.
These activities can include performances from jugglers, acrobats, snake charmers and fortunetellers. Food stalls, selling sweet and spicy food, joy rides can also be included.

In the evening performing Lakshmi-Puja with tiny diyas to drive away the shadows of evil spirit.

Diwali is not only about crackers, lights, sweets but also a chance for reconciliation. We can have social gatherings with people exchanging wishes.

Diwali teaches us to destroy ignorance and remove the darkness that covers the light of knowledge. This is a festival for the young and old, men and women, rich and poor; for everyone irrespective of religious and economic background.











Tradition to be maintained is praying, making some good dishes at home and making a rangoli.
Besides, wishing people.

It certainly is. Over- commercialised.
We all do realize this. But it is happening all over the World. Commercialization. For all Festivals/Holidays.

Change is inevitable in this Modern day and age when people have less time and less help to do things.
So it is easy to go to a shop to buy stuff. Rather than slog alone making them.
The single family system is also to blame for this.
Happy Diwali!

Answer 8

Modern Diwali Cards

Answer 9

Hi All,

"DiWali" as the name indicates is the festival of lights,This is the day when people take Oil bath,lamps ( diyas) are lit as a sign of celebration with family and friends.We decorate our homes with lights,fireworks and give gifts to eachother.
All these are fading ..Lately,I see no one giving gifts to others which is actually a mode of strengthening relationship.This is one thing that i would love to retain while making Diwali a modern festival.
Wait a minute,,,, Why are we making Diwali a modern festival?Lets live it the way it is..Lets celebrate diwali in a traditional way.Lets keep our tradition alive.
Anyways, lets keep this festival less noisy and pollution-free.

Answer 10

As everything in our lives, Diwali is also becoming over commercialised. We do not have enough time to follow all the traditions, so we are adopting a pick-and-choose method of being traditional. Whatever is liked by us is followed blindly in the name of tradition without even realising the importance and the relevance in our life.But then what do you expect in this modern world where we say Hi to our parents over the net phones instead of namaste. But it is also the life style which is making way to commercialisation. I know for sure that I would not want to slog over the hot stove making the savouries and the sweets which are ever present during this season.
Whatever we do today is what our children might follow in the future. By the third generation I think they will think Diwali is all about sending the best email greeting and eating "Indian Food" and getting a holiday from work

Answer 11

Diwali or Deepawali should be celebrated in an traditional way. We should retain all the the trations. In South India particularly in Tamil nadu and karnataka it is both religious and social festival. On the Naraka chaturti day. all the persons in the house take oil bath. The mother gives and oil bath to the children and all the elders also take (til or gingely) oil Bath early morning. On the earlier evening the the drum or the big vessel where the hat water is boiled is cleaned and filled with ganga jal and puja is done to the water invoking the ganga, and next day the oil bath is taken early morning. Children burst crackers. and the whole house is decorated with lights, and in the evening also the light is continued. Deepawali represents the victory of good over evil
Next day Lakshmi Pooja and Kubera Puja is done. New Dress is a must for all. Sweets are prepared and shared with friends. In the morning friends visits each other and share sweets. There is festivity all around. People also visit the temple. For some it is a new year and new accouts are started on deepavai day.The above activity should be continued. But the crackers should be used in limited way without causing enviramental polution. Lingting and decoration and cleaning the whole house is a must on the occasion
Gambling should be stoped. we can share the joy with poor and down troden and give gifte to the orphans and give sweets and new clothes to them also. Send greeting cards sms messages who are far away and all the friends.