A chilly wintry breeze let out by the roaring Alaknanda, colorful lights glowing like a million glowworms and the festive excitement of the biggest of all Hindu festivals – Diwali, the festival of lights – floating in the air…

The Bazaars of Badrinath selling various souvenirs in Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand
Shops lit up for the evening in the lane towards the Badrinath Temple

These sights of the glittering Badrinath Temple coupled with the rhythmic musical beats from the clanging temple bells only added magic to this beautiful evening in the Himalayas as I took a quick glance at my watch – 5.30 pm. The Arti coupon read – ‘Puja ka samay 6.30’ (Prayer to start at 6.30 pm) and I was glad I was here well before time.

A side view of the Badrinath Temple on the Diwali night in Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand
The Badrinath Temple all decked up for the Diwali Night

A colorful rangoli decorated the premises of the temple; the evening exuded a radiant vivacity due to the embers flowing around as people burst crackers and children jumped in joy! Every single soul out there was seen reveling in the ecstasy of the occasion in his own way.

A colorful Rangoli decorating the courtyard of The Badrinath Temple
A colorful Rangoli decorating the veranda of the Badrinath Temple.
(Rangolis are patterns drawn on the floors)

Dazzling display of fireworks outside the Badrinath Temple in the Garhwal Himalayas
Firecrackers distilling the darkness outside the Badrinath Temple

As I made my way towards the main temple entrance, I looked at the paper bag, clutched carefully and tightly in my hands, which my mom had given to me a few minutes earlier – earthen diyas (lamps), ghee and wicks – this was her small Diwali preparation for the night.

A glimpse of the Badrinath Temple on the Diwali night in Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand

A divine glow greeted us as we stepped in the temple hall. Complete darkness had befallen and this being a no moon night (amavasya), the glimmer from the innumerable candles and diyas seemed to radiate the dark surroundings even more. The door of the mandap was closed but that did not deter the fervor of the devotees. The temple was alive with the enthusiasm of the devotees – groups of families from all parts of the India and abroad too - who had come in good numbers to celebrate the festival with their dear Lord. We lit the diyas my mother had bought and joined in the arti (prayer) queue. Amid all the chatters, there was a constant hum, I noticed from the continuous chanting of shlokas, from singing of devotional hymns and from recitation of prayers. Everybody was absorbed in their respective activities while waiting with impatient anticipation for the temple door to open. Somehow that feeling of loneliness, of being away from relatives and friends on this day receded and was overridden by the joyous feeling of being a part of one large family.

The Badrinath Temple glowing in the colorful Diwali lights in Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand

Meanwhile a lot of time had passed by now and the gatekeeper motioned us to get up. A clear indication the gates were about to open. Devotees packed in their belongings and stood up swiftly. Finally the big wooden gates were pushed back and we were let in one by one without any jostling and pushing. The mandap was spic and span, very well readied to receive ‘His’ beloved devotees. Once in, I quickly secured my seat somewhere in the middle which gave me a clear vision of the Lord. I felt really lucky then as there were many who were left standing towards the corners of the room. Gradually, the room packed up completely. The door was shut closed.

The Home of Lord BadriVishal on the Diwali Night in Badrinath in Uttarakhand

I fixed my gaze towards the luminous sanctum area. Oil lamps and diyas were giving it a holy radiant glow that of an order of magnitude so high that it cannot be described in mortal words. The jeweled black stone of Lord BadriVishal sat in a meditative pose along with the other deities presiding over His assembled bhaktas. Pin drop silence filled the room. All eyes were fixed towards the ‘Beloved’… the sense of awe, which had been difficult to overcome throughout our time in the temple, was ever so more now…

The Badrinath Temple glowing in Diwali lights in Uttarakhand

The lull was finally broken by the loud cheer of ‘Bolo BadriVishal ki Jai’ by the Rawal priest and all of us followed suit. He lit a huge lamp, the temple bells started clanging and the arti started…

How to describe it…? The arti might have been slow, graceful and ornate but one could feel the power just beneath the surface. The exquisite melodies formed by the beats resonated within the confines… but it also triggered emotions somehow somewhere instead of just vanishing into a void!

This was not a mandap anymore. It had transformed to something bigger…and even more beautiful… a beautiful space where everyone had become one – ONE BIG FAMILY - united in devotion with smiles and tears…everyone submerged in an ocean of peace and divinity.

Those moments I spent in the hall were incredibly precious…Yes, I did feel connected to that something that unites us all, the beauty, the love…Yes, I did feel transcended to a pure world… Yes, I did feel the presence of God…

The Badrinath Temple at night in Uttarakhand

After spending a good 4 hrs in the temple, I walked through the temple lanes back towards my hotel. A sense of serenity seemed to prevail here. The temple lights soon became hazy in the distance. But the spark of light that it had ignited within me continued to glow…

A Bit more on How Diwali is celebrated, Goddess Laxmi and my Blogger friend's query…

( Note : A couple of months back, my blogger friend ...Petty Witter from Pen and Paper had requested me to put up a post on Goddess Laxmi. Though I couldn't do it then, but since Diwali is related to the Goddess, I thought of extending this post as a reply to her query. I sincerely apologize for the delay in answering your question Tracy.)

Significance of Diwali

The festival of Diwali holds a very significant place in the Hindu calendar. Also known as Dipavali or the festival of lights, Diwali which spans over 5 days involves the lighting of small earthen lamps (diyas or divas) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. The day also honors the return of Lord Rama along with His wife, Sita and His brother, Lakshman from His fourteen year long exile after defeating the demon king Ravana.

Goddess Laxmi

In the modern context, the festival brings along loads of joy, festivities, celebrations and not to forget goodies and sweets too for one and all. It is also special because this is the time when Goddess Laxmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu embodying auspiciousness, beauty, peace and wisdom, wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual, leaves Her heavenly abode and descends on earth to bestow Her blessings on mankind.

Goddess Laxmi photograph
Goddess Laxmi

Cleanliness attracts Her and She steps only in those houses that are pure, hence, people (even the laziest ones, including me!) get down to cleaning their houses well in advance, shopping of prayer items and new clothes, etc is done.

A tray full of litearthen diyas on the night of the Diwali pujan
A tray full of earthen diyas lit up for the Diwali Pujan (Prayer)

Once the festival days kickstart, crackers are burst and Diyas are lit to illuminate Her path and almost everything is decorated with lanterns and lights. Businessmen start off their new financial account books in the hope of a prosperous and a fruitful year ahead.

Goddess Laxmi dislikes people praying to Her solely for monetary gains and never comes to them, so one should always pray to Her with a sincere and a pure heart.

ISKCON Temple in Delhi
A Life size idol of Lord Vishnu with Goddess Laxmi at ISKCON Temple in Delhi

Always seen by the feet of Lord Vishnu, She likes Her Husband’s devotees and whoever pleases Lord Vishnu gets Her favorable blessings too. This also explains why the sacredness of Badrinath, the abode of Lord Vishnu, which is so prominent for the Hindus the year round becomes even more important on this day.

Diwali And Me

For me, Diwali has always been about wearing new clothes, starting off the day by a visit to the local temple, decorating the house with a beautiful rangoli, adorning the windows with colorful lights that twinkle ever so brightly in the dark of the night, taking the blessings of the elders in the house and binging on many of the sweets and other delicacies that are prepared specially for the day.

Diwali fireworks lighting up the dark sky
Life should be a continuous celebration... the whole year around.
Only then you can grow up and blossom - Osho

In the evenings, comes the best part… after offering my prayers to the Goddess, I sit on the balcony staring in the sky… it gets painted with sparks intermittently and there is quite a lot of noise too but I still can find a lot of peace… it probably emanates from the divine glow of the innumerable diyas and... I like to lose myself in it…

I would also love to know, If you live in India how do you celebrate Diwali in your community and if you live outside, have you ever witnessed Diwali celebrations in your part of the world?

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