Diwali in Karnataka

Diwali is the most significant festival in India and is celebrated with much pomp and pageantry all over the country. Still the gist of the festival remains the same, and it is wonderful to see such unity in diversity. Karnataka has the distinction of being one of the largest states in India and as such is a melting pot of cultures, and come Diwali this pot seems to bubble with the best of all cultures.

Legends of Diwali in Karnataka

The legend followed in Karnataka is that of an emperor named Bali who had become all-powerful and a threat to the peace of the universe. Lord Vishnu, upon witnessing such impetuousness was most disturbed and descended from the heavens to Earth in the guise of a poor Brahmin (the Vamana Avatar). He appeared before the mighty and impulsive Emperor Bali and asked for as much land as three of my footsteps would cover.

Bali, while amused at this strange request, agreed to give the Brahmin what he asked for as it was considered most inauspicious to refuse a Brahmins appeal for Charity. And Bali did not want to face the wrath of the Gods for disobeying such a trifle request. It was then that the diminutive Brahmin resumed his all-pervasive, omnipresent form and covered the heavens with one foot and the world below with another.

He asked the mighty Bali where he should place his foot for the third step. Bali bowed before him and offered his own head for him to place his foot on. In this way Lord Vishnu was able to humble a mighty emperor and make him realize his follies. To this day, this divine intervention on the part of Vishnu is celebrated with much aplomb in Karnataka. This victory is observed on the day of the new moon (Amavasya) when the month of Ashwin (October-November) makes way for the month of Kartik.

Diwali Celebrations in Karnataka

The lighting of innumerable diyas (oil lamps) in every courtyard and the bursting of crackers mark the celebration of Diwali. Sweetmeats, new clothes and spirit are there as in other festivals. The time for rejoicing is mainly early morning and late night. These hours of darkness bordering the waking hours are preferred as lights and crackers are the highlights of the festivities and these need darkness to have their illuminating effect. Hence people rise early and sleep late.

In cities like Bangalore, which are more cosmopolitan in Nature, it is an excellent time for the overall economy as people shop a lot more during the festive season and dining out also takes precedence. Many people use the holiday to catch up on the movies while others still go the traditional way and spend time with the family on this auspicious start to the Hindu New Year.