At work today, everyone was in traditional clothes and greetings were flowing freely. “Happy Diwali!” and “Happy Deepavali!” could be heard all day long.
For most, it is simply a day of festivities (or feastivities?!). Also new clothes. Meeting with friends and family. Visiting a temple perhaps. Certainly bursting a lot of firecrackers. All to celebrate Lord Rama’s victory over evil and return to Ayodhya.
Or is there more to it? As you well know, eveything in Hinduism is symbolic, and usually not just what it appears to be on the surface.
So Diwali celebrates more than Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya; it symbolizes our soul’s journey. In light and darkness, we find echoes of union and separation.
Ayodhya’s lamps blaze as symbols of love for the Divine. This festival invites Lord Rama back not only into Ayodhya but into our hearts.
By rekindling devotion, we hope and believe that the Divine Prince can help us rediscover our own Divine presence.