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Diwali In Kerala
India is celebrating its biggest festival - the celebrations of light-Diwali. But, India’s southernmost state Kerala celebrates this festival passively. It does not create much waves in the minds and life of people in Kerala. But, they also celebrate it by lighting lamps, bursting crackers, and distributing sweets. Diwali festival is stronger in places such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Guruvayoor (Thrissur), etc.
Myths behind Diwali in Kerala
Diwali or Deepavali means the festival of light. It falls on the preceding day of the New Moon in the Malayalam Month Thulam. So, mostly, Diwali is celebrated in October –November in Kerala. For some people, it is a three-day festival.
According to Hindu mythology, Diwali is celebrated as a triumph of good over evil. The Kingdom of Pradyoshapuram was ruled by a demon, Narakasura. Villagers suffered a lot of hardship under his rule. The demon used to torture people and imprison women in his palace. Seeing the wickedness of Narakasura, Lord Krishna decided to destroy the demon. Krishna killed Narakasura and freed villagers. As a token of this victory, people started celebrating it by lighting lamps and crackers.
How Keralites Celebrate Diwali?
Usually, Hindus wake up at early morning on the day of Diwali. It will be around the brahmamuhurtham (3 am). Then, at first, they will take an oil bath, which is very important in Diwali. People eat a preparation of jiggery and dry ginger immediately after taking the oil bath. Hindus will also wear new dresses during this time. They decorate their houses with oil lamps. Children play with fireworks to celebrate this festival. They also welcome guests at their home.
Q: How Diwali is celebrated in this temple? What are the rituals here?
Anil Kumar, one of the temple spokesperson said, “There is no special poojas during Diwali. But, it is the commencing day of ‘Alpassi Utsav’. In the early morning, a flag is elevated as a symbol of this festival. Thus, there will be special poojas during Diwali day. The pooja starts at early morning and it will last for 9 days. During this time, the temple priests will nurture 9 different types of seeds. There will be special poojas on each day. At the 9th day, the vegetated seeds will be put around the one stone idol of Lord Padmanabha Swami. By doing so, we believe that Lord is now in the midst of forest. On the 9th day, the temple priests conduct Pallivetta (Royal Hunting). After that various types of cultural programs will be conducted. We do not celebrate Diwali separately. But, Diwali celebrations are also a part of ‘Alpassi Utsav’.”
Kala Venugopal, a native in Thiruvananthapuram, said, “Compared to the other districts in Kerala, Diwali celebrations are very strong in Thiruvananthapuram. It is because the district is very close to Tamil Nadu. So, the culture in this district is mingled with the culture in Tamil Nadu. We celebrate the festival by bursting crackers and lighting oil lamps. Preparing delicious foods is the other prominent activity during Diwali. We also purchase new dresses during this festival.”
Jeevanand, the son of a famous politician in Kerala, said “Due to my political views, I do not visit temple. But, I also like to celebrate it just as a part of enjoyment. My wife lights lamps in our home. Actually, it is all about happiness. So, we enjoy each and every moment in Diwali.”
Diwali Celebration in Mattancheri, Kochi
Mattancheri in Cochin is the replica of all North Indian states. People from almost all North Indian States can be seen here. There are lots of Gujarati streets in this small town. People decorate the streets with colorful lights and other decorations. They also purchase small quantity of gold (from 1gm to 8gms) as a part of this ritual. Diwali is a two-day festival in Mattancheri. At the first day, they celebrate the ritual ‘Dhan Therus’. Diwali is the New Year for Gujaratis. According to the Gujaratis in Mattancheri, “Diwali is the ritual of wealth and prosperity. It indicates the commencement of Lord Lakshmi. North Indian States celebrate Diwali as the symbol of Lord Krishna’s triumph over Narakasura. But, Hindus also believe that it is the same day Lord Rama reached to home after his 14 years of life in the forest. It is also said that people welcomed Lord Rama by bursting crackers and lighting lamps. During the time, people also visit the house of relatives and friends.
Why Mattancheri?
Years back, Mattancheri was the central place of Jews. But, lots of Marvadis, Gujaratis, Jews, etc came in this place for trading purposes. Thus, this place is dominated by lots of North Indian people. Thus, Diwali also became a major celebration among these people in Mattancheri. Diwali is the New Year of North Indians. The traders close all their accounts during Diwali.
Mattancheri is situated in the west side of Cochin Corporation. Once, it was the center of all types of trades in Kerala. Lots of foreign traders reached in this place and they started their business here. As a result, foreigners get an upper hand in this place. Even today, Mattancheri is the most preferred place for lots of people from other states of India and foreign countries. Thus, different types of cultures originated from Mattancheri. Jews, Marathis, Gujaratis, Konkanis, Jains, etc keep their cultures here without losing its vitality. Thus, Mattancheri is the replica of all Indian states.
Jijimon Abraham, working in Cochin Shipyard, said, “Every Diwali, I used to visit Mattancheri with my few friends. The streets will be decorated with different colors of lights. It is the meeting place of different cultures in India. We can see its peak level during Diwali season. So, I do not miss the chance of witnessing such a vibrant culture so close to me. I have a few friends in this area as well. I also visit them during this time and exchange wishes and sweets.
While the North Indians celebrate Diwali in a grand way, only the ripples can be seen in Kerala. But, a few places that celebrate this festival of light, enjoy in its fullest form.
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