The etymology of the Tamil word vilakku, if taken as a term todenote an action, means to ‘interpret’ or ‘explain’ something. Since it alsodenotes a lamp, it can be considered that the work of the light is to dispelthe darkness and ‘describe ‘the surrounding in brightness. One such festival ofdispelling the darkness with lights is Deepavali.
The etymology of the Tamil word vilakku, if taken as a term to denote an action, means to ‘interpret’ or ‘explain’ something. Since it also denotes a lamp, it can be considered that the work of the light is to dispel the darkness and ‘describe ‘the surrounding in brightness. One such festival of dispelling the darkness with lights is Deepavali. As every year, people will celebrate the festival of lights, without knowing its true purpose. For most of us it is a mere day for wearing new clothes, feasting, and bursting crackers.
“With the term dheep (lamp) and aawali (row), the expression Deepavali stands for a row of lamps. It has nothing to do with bursting crackers “says Durai Madangan, a scholar, bibliophile, and author, who, for years, ran his famed library Yazh Noolagam in Coimbatore.
Senthee Natarajan, a popular epigraphist, historian, and author says,
“The festival may have its roots in Jainism, According to Sripurana, a piece of Jaina literature, Deepavali is celebrated to mark the death day of Mahavira, the 24th Tirtankara, who attained mukthi on that night in 6 BC. Ashe was a Mahatma or great soul, his followers observed his mukthi by lighting lamps. Later, Hinduism also accepted this tradition and created the myth of Lord Vishnu’s killing of Naragasura being the reason to celebrate.”
History enthusiast Bhama explains that in some parts of north India Deepavali is the homecoming of Rama after his victory over Ravana. She says that lamps are placed in the evening to welcome Rama.
“In a few other states, Rama’s victory over Ravana is celebrated on Vijayadhasami - the tenth day after the nine-day Navarathiri festival” adds Bhama.
R.Jegadisan, a city-based epigraphist, and author notes:
“One of the earliest Tamil stone inscriptions, which refers to Deepavali, is found at Tirumala. The epigraph dates back to the 16th century - the period marking the Vijayanagara king Achutharaya. The inscription mentions a few festival names including Deepavali and records the king’s donation for making and offering a delicacy called Athirasam to the lord.
Jegadisan also notes that ancient Tamils believed that once people their souls would be transformed into jothi (the holy flame). Later on, different religions adopted this aboriginal tradition and matched it by creating their respective myths to bring in people en masse.
“In Vaishnavism, Deepavali is a celebration of Lord Vishnu’s victory over Naragasura. However, in Saivism, it is believed that it was the day on which Goddess Sakthi received the boon to be the part of her husband Lord Siva” compares Jegadisan.
Interestingly, legend has it that Sakthi received this boon at Tiruchengode in the Kongu region and the deity came to be called Madhorubhagan (One part woman).
“With the term dheep (lamp) and aawali (row), the expression Deepavali stands for a row of lamps. It has nothing to do with bursting crackers “says Durai Madangan, a scholar, bibliophile, and author, who, for years, ran his famed library Yazh Noolagam in Coimbatore.
Senthee Natarajan, a popular epigraphist, historian, and author says,
“The festival may have its roots in Jainism, According to Sripurana, a piece of Jaina literature, Deepavali is celebrated to mark the death day of Mahavira, the 24th Tirtankara, who attained mukthi on that night in 6 BC. Ashe was a Mahatma or great soul, his followers observed his mukthi by lighting lamps. Later, Hinduism also accepted this tradition and created the myth of Lord Vishnu’s killing of Naragasura being the reason to celebrate.”
History enthusiast Bhama explains that in some parts of north India Deepavali is the homecoming of Rama after his victory over Ravana. She says that lamps are placed in the evening to welcome Rama.
“In a few other states, Rama’s victory over Ravana is celebrated on Vijayadhasami - the tenth day after the nine-day Navarathiri festival” adds Bhama.
R.Jegadisan, a city-based epigraphist, and author notes:
“One of the earliest Tamil stone inscriptions, which refers to Deepavali, is found at Tirumala. The epigraph dates back to the 16th century - the period marking the Vijayanagara king Achutharaya. The inscription mentions a few festival names including Deepavali and records the king’s donation for making and offering a delicacy called Athirasam to the lord.
Jegadisan also notes that ancient Tamils believed that once people their souls would be transformed into jothi (the holy flame). Later on, different religions adopted this aboriginal tradition and matched it by creating their respective myths to bring in people en masse.
“In Vaishnavism, Deepavali is a celebration of Lord Vishnu’s victory over Naragasura. However, in Saivism, it is believed that it was the day on which Goddess Sakthi received the boon to be the part of her husband Lord Siva” compares Jegadisan.
Interestingly, legend has it that Sakthi received this boon at Tiruchengode in the Kongu region and the deity came to be called Madhorubhagan (One part woman).