#11. Diwali 2024: Significance, Rituals, and Jain Traditions for a Prosperous Festival

Diwali 2024: The Spiritual and Auspicious Celebration of Light and Positivity

Diwali, often referred to as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most celebrated festivals in India and across the world by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists alike. Its essence lies in the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. While for many it marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after his 14 years of exile, for Jains, it holds an even deeper spiritual significance—the day Lord Mahavira attained Moksha.

As Diwali 2024 approaches, let’s delve deeper into the various reasons behind this grand festival and how one can celebrate it in a spiritually enriching way, incorporating both traditional Hindu and Jain customs.

Why Do We Celebrate Diwali?

1. Lord Ram's Return to Ayodhya: In the epic Ramayana, Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and completing his 14 years of exile. On the darkest night of Kartik Amavasya, the people of Ayodhya welcomed him by lighting oil lamps, which is why the tradition of lighting diyas is followed even today.

2. Mahavir Nirvanotsav in Jainism: For the Jain community, Diwali holds profound significance as it commemorates the day when Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara, attained Nirvana (Moksha) at Pavapuri. Jains celebrate this by offering Nirvan Laddu in temples and lighting diyas to mark the event.

3. Gautam Gandhar’s Keval Gyaan: Another significant event that coincides with Diwali in Jainism is the attainment of Keval Gyaan (absolute knowledge) by Gautam Gandhar, the first disciple of Lord Mahavir. On the evening of Diwali, Jains light diyas to celebrate the moment when Gautam Gandhar became fully enlightened.

Dhanyeteras – The True Essence

Before Diwali, there is a day known as Dhanteras or Dhanyeteras, but not many know the spiritual significance behind the name Dhanyeteras. In Jainism, it was on this day that Lord Mahavir was in deep meditation before attaining Moksha, leaving behind all worldly attachments. The day was therefore considered auspicious or “Dhanya”.

To make this day even more special and to enhance positive energies, a deepak (lamp) filled with cow ghee should be lit in the Southeast corner of your home, office, factory, or workspace. This act is believed to cleanse the space of any negativity and bring auspiciousness and positivity into the environment.

How to Celebrate Diwali 2024 in a Spiritually Enriching Way?

1. Preparation Before Diwali

• Cleaning and Purification: Just as the people of Ayodhya cleaned their city to welcome Lord Rama, it is customary to clean and purify your home and workplace before Diwali. This symbolizes the removal of ignorance and negativity, paving the way for wisdom and prosperity.

• Torans and Decorations: Hang a toran made of 24 mango leaves with swastiks drawn in saffron on each leaf at the entrance. This helps amplify positive energy and welcomes prosperity into your home. Along with the toran, tie 5 potlis (pouches) of yellow mustard in green, yellow, blue, red, and white colors to enhance the spiritual energy.

2. Lighting of Diyas

Lighting diyas is the heart of Diwali celebrations. Here’s how you can do it in a spiritually significant way:

• On the morning of Diwali, after wearing new and pure clothes, prepare an Asht Dravya Thali.

• On the west wall of your home or workspace, draw auspicious symbols such as Swastik, Shree, and devotional mantras like "Shree Veetragaye Namah", "Shree Mahaveeraye Namah", and "Shree Gautam Gandharay Namah" using cow ghee and sindoor. These symbols should be drawn at a height above the navel to ensure positivity and good fortune.

• Below these symbols, write “Shree Shubh”, “Shree Labh” along with a symbolic mountain, to invoke wealth and auspiciousness.

3. Setting Up a Sacred Altar

• Prepare a sacred altar in the Northeast corner of your home or workspace. Place a Mangal Kalash filled with yellow mustard, a silver Swastik, 5 pieces of turmeric, and supari (betel nut) on the altar.

• Place pictures or idols of Lord Mahavir and other religious figures, along with sacred scriptures like Jinvani.

• Light a diya made of cow ghee in the Southeast corner of the altar to ward off negative energy and attract peace and prosperity.

4. The Ritual of 16 Diyas

• Prepare 16 diyas with four cotton wicks, each representing a direction. This ritual is associated with the concept of Anant Chatushtya (infinite virtues).

• The number 16 symbolizes the Solah Karan Bhavna (16 virtues), and when multiplied by 4, it gives 64, which represents the 64 Riddhis (divine abilities).

• After chanting the Mahaveerasthak, place these diyas in each corner of the house and offer five diyas in the local temple.

5. Performing Pooja

Conduct a proper Pooja at home, following all religious procedures. It’s important to follow the right Muhurat (auspicious time), such as Sthir Lagna, Gaudhuli Bela, or a good Choghadiya Muhurat.

Rituals for the Pooja:

• Chant Anant Chatushtya and other Jain mantras during the rituals.

• Offer Nirvan Laddu in the Jain temple as part of the Nirvanotsav celebration.

Special Vastu Rituals for Diwali

To ensure maximum positivity and success during Diwali, you can incorporate some specific Vastu rituals:

1. Swastik on Machines: Draw Swastik symbols on all machines or instruments in your workspace with sindoor and cow ghee. Perform this while ensuring the premises are in Sagun Swar to invite auspiciousness.

2. Yantras for Wealth and Prosperity: On the West wall of your home or workspace, make a Dhan Prapti Chhatisa Yantra and Swastik Yantra, keeping them East-facing. Make sure that all numeric values are written in Hindi format to maintain traditional significance.

3. Chanting Mantras for Prosperity: On the night of Diwali, chanting various mantras while wearing red clothes can attract wealth and success. This is an effective method for those seeking financial stability and prosperity.

The Jain Tradition of Avoiding Firecrackers

In Jainism, the sound of firecrackers is discouraged as it is believed to convert positive energy into negativity. Instead, the focus is on chanting, lighting diyas, and performing rituals that enhance peace and well-being.

Conclusion

Diwali 2024 is an opportunity to not only celebrate light over darkness but also to focus on spiritual growth and positivity. Whether you're following Hindu traditions or Jain rituals, the essence of Diwali lies in embracing auspiciousness, removing negativity, and welcoming peace and prosperity into your life.

Let’s make this Diwali more meaningful by following these rituals and avoiding practices like burning firecrackers, which are detrimental to the spiritual energy around us. By lighting diyas, chanting mantras, and performing Vastu rituals, you can invite positive energy into your home and workplace, making Diwali 2024 a truly enriching and spiritually uplifting experience.