All About Diwali Festival
Are there
mythological / scientific reasons behind burning crackers on festival of lights
(Deepavali)?
Some believe that
the festival is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama to his capital and
also to mark the killing of Narakasura by Lord Krishna. The festival is
celebrated for three days with the second day celebrated as Lakshmi Pooja, when
Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth, is worshipped. The festival is also known as
'Diwali'.
Fire crackers are
for making some great noise and that signifies merry making on all auspicious
days. It's children who enjoy it most. Another reason is that Deepawali falls
after the rainy season so many insects get killed due to the smoke generated by
crackers.
According to one belief,
the sound of fire-crackers is an indication of the joy of the people living on
earth, making the gods aware of their plentiful state. Still another possible
reason has a more scientific basis: the fumes produced by the crackers kill a
lot of insects and mosquitoes, found in plenty after the rains.
The day is
celebrated across the country as a symbol of victory of good over evil
There are negative
effects of bursting fire crackers. As society progresses to the next level of
social development and consciousness, it is time to re-think this mode of
celebration of Diwali. Several people die and a number of others become injured
every year on Diwali due to fire and accidents resulting from the crackers'
explosion. This is also extremely cruel to animals, especially cats and dogs
who get terrified and confused by the loud explosions.
Fire crackers
always disturb the non-users of the fireworks and gives joy for the users.
Diwali is associated with lights, sweets, and liveliness; especially lights. As
it is celebrated on the new-moon (Amavasya) night, lights and fireworks have a
significant role to play in this festival. This is why, when we hear the name
Diwali, the first impression that flashes through our minds is of multicolored
and impressive fireworks, sprinkling various sorts of bright colored lights in
the night sky. Although the tradition of fireworks on Diwali is not very old,
still they have succeeded in becoming such a vital part of this festival that
we can't even imagine a wonderful Diwali without them.
Another
interesting info related to |Diwali is that in Sivakasi the first fire-works
industry was started in the early 20th century. Having achieved a measure of
success in Safety Matches, Colour Matches and Star Matches, Mr. A Shanmuga
Nadar and Mr. Iya Nadar ventured upon the making of sparklers – then the most
popular item in the Small Fireworks family, which were at the time imported
from the UK and Germany.
Fire-works are
used in many occasions in India - winning elections, winning cricket by the
national team, and so on. Lighting a lamp during Diwali is considered more
important than bursting crackers simply because Lakshmi Devi who is supposed to
be the proprietor of all good and prosperity, prayers are done to invite the
goddess, who is supposed to walk over the green fields. Lighting a lamp will
serve the purpose. Firecrackers are supposedly lit as an expression of
gratitude to the Gods - the return of Ram to the kingdom and asking him to rule
this world and to keep us happy.
For many bursting
crackers during Deepawali or other festivals should not have any mythological
backgrounds or scientific justifications. This should be one of the funs meant
for or forwarded by children and carried by all through blind means for dead
ends.
But it is necessary
for us to get enlightened on the dark side of crackers and support for cleaner
environment, healthier rural population and progress by avoiding
zeroing/cindering of resources. This question seems to be instrumental in
propelling the anti-cracker movement progressing in various parts of the world,
including India.
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