Diwali: The Festival of Lights
Read about the history and see some lamps from the Craft's Museum's Collection
Diwali: A short history
Festival of lights, Diwali is glittering, auspicious, and full of vigor. India celebrates this enchanting festival in several ways, symbolizing new hope over despondent forces and triumph of good over evil.
The festival is a culmination of several small festivities and celebrations spread over at least five days. This is in accordance with the Hindu lunisolar calendar and the position of the moon. It is believed that Diwali was initially celebrated as a harvest festival, signifying the last harvest before the onset of winter. Diwali is particularly marked with wearing new clothes, exchanging gifts, decoration of the house after cleaning, making rangoli, illuminating homes with deepam, candles, lamps and lighting firecrackers.
Dancing Ganesha SculptureCrafts Museum
No festival puja in India begins without praying to Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles. Even the sthapathies of Orissa begin carving the figures of the deities only after they have prayed to lord Ganesha after fasting for a day in selfprification.
Ganesh Puja is the first puja before beginning the ‘Devi’ puja on the Diwali evening.
Nritya Ganapati or dancing Ganesha, is one of the thirty-two forms of Ganesha. Representing the relaxed and enjoyable form of the lord, this eight handed Ganesha is seen dancing with his hands in various mudras.
Flanked by his vahana, the rat (or Mooshika named Kroncha) on his right and a devotee on his left, standing atop pedestals with lotus designs.
A group of musicians is seen behind overhead. Such figures are used to decorate the entrances of the house because usually, dancing figure of Ganesha is avoided to be kept at the home-shrine as opposed to a sitting or standing one
Diwali falls on the ‘Kartik Amavasya’, the darkest night or Amavasya (New Moon) of the month of Kartik. It is believed to be the most significant day of the entire month and Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on this night as a symbol of prosperity, wealth and abundance. People often keep their windows and doors open in the night to welcome her into their homes. In some parts of India, goddess Kali is worshipped on this night.
Lamp stand (Deep lakshmi)Crafts Museum
Deepa Lakshmi
Deepam stand in form of celestial female holding a lamp-bowl (Diya) is popularly termed as Deepa Lakshmi. Commonly used during Diwali and other auspicious occasions, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity holds the lamp bowl or ‘Diya’ in her hands in the gesture of ‘anjali’ symbolising the offering of the flame of 'divine light'.
Panchdipa GajalakshmiCrafts Museum
Panchdipa Gaja Lakshmi
This is a lampstand in the form Panchadipa Gajalakshmi, where Lakshmi, the godess of light and wealth, is depicted riding an elephant(or gaja), along with five lamp bowls (panchadipa) and bearing a Kalasha or pitcher for oil on her head.
Cast by the Dhokra technique, the symmetrical composition of this lampstand together with its decorative danglers is an ideal ritual accessory for worship and hence, it is also used during Diwali to light ‘Diya’ in celebration.
Deepam (Leaf Shaped Diya)Crafts Museum
Deepam: Leaf shaped Diyas
These are leaf shaped brass Deepams with scallop detail used for 'puja' and are prevalent in South India. These have a pointed V-shaped tip, where the wick is placed and lit and can be used used during festivals such as Diwali.
Panch PradeepCrafts Museum
Panchpradeep
Panch (five) Pradeep is a beautiful five diya holder, used to offer light during aarti. Long handle is held in hand and waved in a clockwise direction in front of the deity while chanting mantras/religious songs or saying an ‘arti’.
Elephant with small diyaCrafts Museum
Elephant with small diya
Painted elephant with a small diya on its head and a circular howdah like projection at the back. Used for decoration during Diwali celebration.
Jagar diya standCrafts Museum
Jagar diya stand:
This diya stand has an extended pedestal, that aids in holding and placing the lamp. It seems to have a ‘fish’ mouth in the front and a small fish tail in the back. The fish mouth acts as the base for the wick tip that is lit, making it suitable for puja.
S.K. Jha, Senior Director
Nidhi, Deputy Director
Ms Geeta Khanna
Ms Princy Rana
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