Ancient India has been a balance of both religious beliefs and scientific reasonings.

One can witness India’s distinct heritage and customs in its rich and lively festivals. They are celebrated throughout the country, regardless of religion or caste, bringing people together and forging strong bonds of brotherhood and humanism.

Diwali: The festival of lights, joy, and cheerfulness

Every year, citizens of the world’s largest democracy celebrate several festivals such as Holi, Eid, Christmas, and others. But the festival which is most popular and celebrated with huge pomp and show is Diwali.

The festival of lights, also known as Deepawali, is observed throughout India. Starting with Dhanteras, followed by Narak Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali), Lakshmi Pujan (Badi Diwali), Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj, the festival of lights is for five days in the month of Kartik. Deepawali derives from the Sanskrit words Deep (light) and Vali (festival) (row). It means “lights in a row.” Earthen gleams are a form to commemorate the celebration.

It was a brief about Diwali. But do you know why people celebrate Diwali, and what is the scientific reason behind the rituals of this festival? Well, we are sure that you must be aware of the ancient epic, “Ramayana.” This blog provides an introduction to all the science behind Diwali and what is its connection with “Ramayana.”

According to Hindu mythology, Ramachandra, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu, is honoured this day. After a 14-year exile during which he fought and destroyed the demons and their ruler Ravana, Ram was able to return home on this day. It was all about what ancient books mention and what our ancestors have passed from generations. However, there are additional reasons why people enjoy Diwali all around the country. Let us have a look at some of these reasons: 

1. Diwali, a Hindu holiday celebrated in western regions such as Gujarat and other northern Hindu groups in India, marks the beginning of the new year. Another prevalent notion is that Diwali began as a harvest festival, commemorating the year’s final harvest before winter.
2. On Diwali, the legendary Hindu ruler Vikram Aditya took hold of the throne. People portray him as a model king and recognize him for his charity, bravery, and support for intellectuals. On the other hand, the festival of Diwali is observed in Jainism to honour Mahavira’s soul’s Nirvana, the twenty-fourth and last Jain Tirthankara of the current cosmic age. On the Chaturdashi of the Kartik month, Mahavira attained moksha (freedom).

Finally, let us cover the rituals that take place on Diwali and what is the science behind them: 

• The most basic yet crucial reason relates to astronomy. Ever wondered why people celebrate Diwali on several days each year? Unlike Christmas, why does it not fall on the same day? Simple, the Lunar Calendar is a base for the majority of Hindu celebrations. They are, in other words, dependent on the motions of the Moon. One of them is Diwali. Other festivals, on the other hand, follow the solar calendar. That is, they depend on the Sun’s movement. So, except for leap years, they will fall on about the same date every year.

• Children love to light fireworks. They are a source of joy and pleasure for them. When a firework explodes, they appreciate the various colours and noises it produces. However, a scientific reason is also associated with the same. We apologize if we’ve brought up your favourite topic of fireworks, but kindly understand that science is ubiquitous, and Hinduism’s ancient writings have a thorough explanation of everything that happens in the world.

The habit of lighting fireworks during Deepavali does have a robust scientific rationale. Its main goal is to combat the insect (particularly mosquito) threat posed by pools of water, which serves as a breeding ground for these dangerous parasites throughout the passage from wet to winter seasons.

We can explain all of this with the help of proof. When the Dengue fever outbreak resurfaced in Delhi a few years later, scientists and health officials urged people to ignite crackers and fireworks to combat the mosquito problem, as described in the following news item. The scientific community’s support strengthens the scientific foundation of tradition.

• We utilize soil-based Diyas rather than clay-based Diyas throughout the celebration. The earthen pots assist the Diyas in burning for a longer time. It also aids in the distribution of warmth. Previously, the first thing to do on Deepavali morning was to take a bath with Ganges water and various oils. It is called Abhyanga Snanam. It helps treat broken skin, aid in weight loss, and even slow down the ageing process.

• During Diwali, people clean their homes, and they light hundreds of lights to guarantee that the environment is safe for everyone. Your surface electromagnetic flux gets surrounded by light from the Diya that superimpose on the magnetic field

Key Takeaways 

Because Diwali is a festival of lights, we must observe it appropriately. Many people have avoided the customs and rituals of this pristine celebration over the past few years. At all costs, avoid doing this because such celebrations represent the deep roots of Indian religion and the science behind it.

Also published on Medium.