18/09/2024
The Light That Ignites Hearts.
My Experience of Diwali in India
Crossing the Rubicon. Love at first sight?
A trip to India is not just a trip to an exotic country, it is above all a profound spiritual experience. An experience that transforms internally and changes the perspective of looking at the world.
Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon, which was a decision without turning back. India is such a mental Rubicon, once visiting this place, we will never be the same again. Anyone who has seen India knows that there is no romantic exaggeration in what I write.
What was it like for me? Was it love at first sight? I am not sure, but before I knew it, I was already head over heels in love.
A breath of magic, or Varanasi welcomes you!
If you are looking for a place in India that combines visual beauty with spirituality and mysticism, it is impossible to miss Varanasi. This unique city, considered the oldest in India, fascinates with its history, culture and unique atmosphere. The atmosphere, which some say cannot be described, can only be felt. I wanted to experience this feeling, so from among the many fascinating places in India, I chose this destination.
The city of Varansi, located on the banks of the Holy Ganges River, is - as is commonly believed - the spiritual capital of India and the cradle of local culture. Vedic mythology describes it as the first city created after the "cosmic dissolution", the cyclical destruction of the universe, repeated every 400 million years.
It is believed that Varansi was created by the god Shiva, making it the center of the cosmos, the holiest of holy cities. Due to this legend, the entire region is in a special way associated with the cult of this supreme deity, and along the Ganges you can see many temples dedicated to his honor, with the most famous of them - the "Golden Temple".
The sanctuary truly dazzles with its architecture, craftsmanship and refined artistic form. Describing the beauty and richness of this structure would require a separate article, so I will not elaborate on that. The Golden Temple is a unique place that cannot be missed or forgotten.
Varanasi lies on the banks of the Ganges, a Holy River for Hindus. Concrete steps called ghats stretch along the banks, allowing you to descend to the water. This water has a unique significance.
The Ganges is an integral part of the lives of the inhabitants of Varanasi. Every day, people go down to the water to wash themselves, their clothes and perform religious rituals. The most controversial ceremony (for us - visitors from the West) is the funeral ritual, during which the family cremates the body of the deceased on the steps leading to the river, and then their ashes are offered to the Ganges River. It is believed that in this way the soul is liberated from samsara, the vicious cycle of birth and death.
Standing on the banks of the Ganges, you can feel the divine, transcendent element of this river. Does bathing in it really allow you to wash away bad karma and cleanse your ego? Maybe next time I will check it out.
The Ganges is a river and I could go on about it for a long time :) Similarly to Varanasi itself, which welcomed me with a mystical touch of magic, beauty and mystery. Those who say that it is something that cannot be described are right. It is something that can only be felt on your own skin, or rather on your own soul.
Light that ignites hearts. The Hindu Festival of Diwali
Varanasi is magical in itself, but during Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, the magic of this place takes on an even deeper dimension. A mystical aura hangs in the air, and the streets of the city are permeated by an atmosphere of harmony, unity, love and reconciliation. Everyday life is mixed with transcendence, the profane with the sacred, the temporal - with that which is eternal.
Visiting Varanasi on the holiday of Divali is a unique, non-verbal experience. I am extremely lucky to be in India at this magical time.
Diwali is a Hindu festival of light celebrated in various regions of India at the turn of October and November. The date of the festival - as in other religions - is not accidental and refers to the lunar calendar with the culmination falling on the last day of the so-called dark half of the month.
The Diwali festival, whose name comes from the Sanskrit word dīpāvali meaning "row of lamps" or "row of lights" and refers to the oil lamps that shine in honor of Lakshmi, the goddess of happiness, beauty and wealth, the wife of Vishnu. It symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness.
The religious meaning of Diwali varies depending on the region of India. In addition to celebrating the birth of Lakshmi, one of the main traditions links the Festival of Lights to the return of God Rama (the seventh incarnation of Vishnu) to his kingdom in the city of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. His path home was to be lit by oil lamps.
In the east of the country, Diwali refers to the worship of the goddess Kali, the ruler of death and destruction, but also the patroness of love, fertility and maternal care, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
Despite differences in the perception of the religious and mythological origins of the Festival of Lights, all traditions share a common symbolic meaning. Each of them emphasizes the same axiology - the victory of light over darkness, good over evil.
During the five-day celebration, the city transforms into a true festival of lights. In the period preceding the holiday, residents decorate their homes and workplaces with oil lamps called "diyas" here and colorful decorations made of food, stones and flowers. They also prepare gifts for guests, because Diwali is a time for family gatherings, feasting and joint celebration.
During the festival, cities and villages shine with millions of lights. The sky is lit up by picturesque, colorful fireworks. You can see people dancing in the streets, hear singing and religious songs. The spirit of peace and love floats in the air.
The Ganges River makes a particularly amazing impression then, with thousands of burning candles drifting down it. It is hard to take your eyes off this mesmerizing view, especially since, on the ghats stretching along the shore, the festival participants raise luminous lanterns above their heads. Above the river, high in the sky, the magic is complemented by dazzling fireworks displays.
This feast for the eyes is also a profound spiritual experience. An experience that allows you to feel harmony with yourself, with the world, as well as unity with other people. The light of Diwali ignites hearts with love, warmth, acceptance and joy.
India in the glow of Diwali. Final reflection
The most important mantra of Hinduism and Buddhism is the syllable OM. By chanting it, we divert our attention from the mind and the din of thoughts it generates, thanks to which we can liberate ourselves from the past and the future, find ourselves "in the eternal now". That is why the mantra OM has been one of the important meditation practices for centuries to this day.
The syllable OM sounds similar to the English word "home". Chanting it, sonically brings to mind the expression “I am home”. The Buddhist practice of mindfulness, presence “here and now” allows us to return to ourselves, “home”.
A trip to India is not only a journey to an exotic country - it is also a journey to the interior of ourselves. Understanding yourself and the world. Acceptance.
The Diwali holiday is an experience as fascinating as it is spiritual and mystical. Beautiful India on a daily basis becomes even more magnetic, metaphysical. How we perceive India depends partly on the time we get there, but also on the places we see. Therefore, at the end, it is worth adding that the choice of the travel agency we use is important. If you are looking for a trusted travel agency in India that would organize a unique and unforgettable trip around India for you, contact our Polish-Indian local travel agency PaylessToursIndia www.paylesstoursindia.com
And finally, a warning: India is like a drug - you only need to try it once :)
to get addicted
Namaste
