Deepavali, also known as the Festival of Lights, marks the triumph
of good over evil and was celebrated on 8 November by Singaporean
Hindus this year. It was also to celebrate the victory of light over darkness.
Hindus commemorate this day with enthusiasm, combining traditional
beliefs and practices with the spirit of reverence, togetherness and
celebration.
Singaporean Hindus normally mark daybreak with prayers.
Parents will give their blessings to their children after the prayers.
Husbands will also give their blessings to their wives in the hope
of longevity.
The festival commemorates the night Rama returned home
after fourteen years in exile. On this historic night, there was
no moonlight, hence the citizens of his hometown Ayodhya,
lit up the streets with many oil lamps to welcome him home.
The story of Rama and his wife Sita was recorded in Ramayana,
one of the two epics of Hinduism written by Valmiki.
Long ago, in the kingdom of Ayodhya, the King Dashratha
had three wives, but no children. After performing an elaborate Yagna
to please Gods, he was granted with four sons.
The King decided to crown the eldest son Rama, as he was the rightful
heir to the throne. But the King's second wife, Kaikeyi grew jealous and
she wanted her son to be the king. She reminded King Dashratha of a
promise he gave her long back and made him announce that her son
would be the king. Rama was then exiled for a period of 14 years.
Thus set out Rama with his wife Sita and one of his brothers
Lakshmana on his 14 year long exile in the forests of India.
One day, a Demoness saw Rama and tried to seduce him
but he ignored her completely.
She then tries to seduce Lakshmana, but enraged, he cuts off her nose.
Thoroughly insulted, she goes back to her brother Ravana, the Demon
king of Lanka and complains about what happened.
Ravana seeks revenge by abducting Sita and captivating her in his
palace. Determined and confident, Rama sets out to find his wife Sita.
He is helped by a group of monkeys who put in their best efforts to get
Sita back from Lanka.
Ravana is spoken of as a powerful demon, who was blessed by many
Gods. His only flaw was vanity.
A battle ensued between the monkey army of Rama and the demon
army of Ravana. In the end, Rama emerged victorious and was
united with Sita.
By this time, their exile had ended and they returned back to their
kingdom. Rama was crowned the king and he proved himself to be
a devoted ruler.
The moral of this epic is good always triumphs over evil.
No matter what happens, one must never accept anything wrong
and never deter from his path of duties of life.
The Deepavali in 2008 will fall on 28 October.
Come and visit Little India if you are in Singapore.
