History of Diwali Festival – Reasons why Diwali is celebrated
Return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya in Ramayana
During 14 years of exile, Ravana in the form of a sage abducted Sita Mata (wife of Rama) using trickery.
Lord Ram, on hearing this, launches a war against the army of Ravana and reaches Lanka to fight Ravana and bring his wife back. The victory of Lord Rama in the epic battle of Ramayana symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
It is believed that when people of Ayodhya heard that Lord Rama is coming back to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, they decorate the entire city with oil lamps (diyas), flowers and rangolis.
This is why Diwali is also known as the festival of lights.
Birthday of Goddess Lakshmi
Diwali celebration is also linked with the worship of Goddess Lakshmi who is the goddess of wealth and prosperity and is the wife of Lord Vishnu.
The 5-day festival of Diwali begins on the day Goddess Lakshmi was born from the churning of cosmic ocean (Kshir Sagar) of milk by the Devas (gods) and the Asuras (demons).
During the night of Diwali is the day Lakshmi chose Vishnu as her husband and they were married.
Along with Lakshmi, devotees make offerings to Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati and God Kubera.
Some people believe that Diwali is the day when Lord Vishnu came back to Lakshmi and their adobe in the Vaikuntha.
That is why those who Lakshmi during Diwali receive the benefit of her good mood.
Return of Pandavas to Hastinapur in Mahabharata
According to the Mahabharata, people celebrate the Return of pandavas along with their wife Draupadi and mother Kunti to Hastinapur
They illuminate the entire city of Hastinapur with bright earthen lamps.
This tradition of lighting lamps in the memory of the return of the Pandavas is believed to be kept alive by celebrating the festival of Diwali.
Lord Vishnu defeated Demon King Bali in his Vamana Avatar
Although a demon, Bali was a generous king
Thus pleased with his kindness, Lord Vishnu grants him a boon that he could return to earth for 1 day in a year to dispel darkness by lighting millions of lamps along with the people.
This day of the annual return of King Bali to earth is celebrated as Bali Padyami.
This is one of the reasons for celebrating Diwali.
Lord Krishna killed Narakasura
According to a legend, Narakasura was the son of Bhudevi (Mother Earth) and the Varaha incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
It was prophesied that he will be killed by later incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Thus his mother Bhudevi asks for a boon from Vishnu that his son should live long and become all powerful. Vishnu fulfils all her wishes.
Narakasura defeats all the kings on earth and brings all the kingdoms under his control. He was so powerful that even the King of Devas, Indra was not able to withstand his might and was forced to flee away from the heaven (Swarga).
Thus Narakasura becomes the lord of heaven and earth. He stole the earring of Aditi (mother of the gods) and abducted 16000 women.
Devas went to Lord Vishnu for help. He assured them he in his “Krishna” avatar will destroy Narakasura.
Later Vishnu incarnated as Krishna. Then Aditi approached Krishna’s wife Satyabhama (incarnation of Bhudevi) for help.
Krishna along with Satyabhama defeated Narakasura. Before his death, Narakasura asked for a boon from his mother Satyabhama that the day he died will be celebrated with colourful lights
Thus the day before Diwali i.e. Choti Diwali is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi.
Kali Puja – Goddess Kali from the forehead of Goddess Durga
In regions like West Bengal and Odisha, devotees worship Goddess Kali instead of Goddess Lakshmi. It is known as Kali Puja.
According to legend, long ago after the gods lost in a battle with the demons, Goddess Kali was born as Kal Bhoi Nashini from the forehead of Goddess Durga.
Said to be a personification of Nari Shakti (female power), Kali was born to save heaven and earth from the growing cruelty of the demons.
After killing all the devils, Kali lost her control and started killing anyone who came her way which stopped only when Lord Shiva intervened.
The well-known picture of Ma Kali, with her tongue hanging out, actually depicts the moment when she steps on the Lord and repents.
That momentous day has been commemorated ever since and the main purpose of celebrating Kali Puja is to seek the help of the goddess in destroying evil both external and internal to us as also to get her blessings for general happiness, health, wealth, and peace.