Traditions are the bedrock of Hindu civilization, which has kept the Dharmic flame alive and passed it from one generation to the next. We look at some Deepawali traditions that have continued to silently live among the masses, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas.
Ulka Darshanam tradition
Ulka Darshanam is a Deepawali ritual where twigs are lit for Pitrus (dead ancestors). This tradition is found across several Bharatiya states, including Gujarat, Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, and Telangana. The twigs/wood used differ from region to region, and the ritual has a slight variation. However, the essence of the tradition remains the same across Bharat.
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In Odisha, the cherished tradition of Paya Shraddha is observed every year on Deepavali Amavasya. During this time, families honour and bid farewell to their ancestors, who are believed to have arrived during Mahalaya and are now returning to Pitru Loka, surrounded by the festival’s radiant lights.
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In Gujarat and Marwar, flame torches made of Banyan tree twigs are carried around the village while the participants sing a song meant for the occasion. The torches are then used to light a bonfire. In Telangana, castor plant twigs are used for the Ulka Darshanam ritual. Here, the flame torch is waved around the participants in a circular motion. In Bengal, the torch is rotated and carried around the village by villagers who chant and pray to Kali Mata.
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Bihar’s Mithilanchal, Kosi, Seemanchal, and Anga Pradesh, in particular, carry out the tradition of Ukka Paati or Ulka Brahman on Deepawali Kartik Amavasya. Here too the belief is that the flame torches light the path of the departed elders (Pitrus) thereby facilitating their return to Yamlok. Another belief current in Bihar is that the torch is meant to welcome Mata Laxmi and drive away poverty. Vedic scholars state that Ukka Paati is also meant to act as a guiding light for those who had an untimely death and no last rites were performed to release their soul from earth.
Additionally, there are environmental benefits attached to the tradition. Jute sticks are used to light the torch and five sticks are taken out from the torch. These sticks are used to take a vow of planting five fruit-bearing trees.
Worshipping livestock
Vanvasi communities of Madhya Pradesh worship livestock during Deepawali. The celebration lasts for two months among 62 Vanvasi communities of the state, following ancient traditions. During the festival, they worship livestock, honouring the bond between humans and animals. Tribal people purchase Dhavas and Majali, clay items crafted by potters, as part of the celebrations.
On Diwali, Mata Mahalakshmi, the Devi of wealth, and Sri Ganesha, the deity of happiness and prosperity, are especially worshipped. The animals are adorned with beautiful decorations, and traditional dishes are prepared at home. These offerings are presented to the Kuldevatas and Ishtadevatas. The festival is marked by joyful dancing and singing, as the community comes together to celebrate.
Similarly, the Paraja, Saora, Gadaba and other Vanvasi communities of southern Odisha and Himachal Pradesh, also celebrate Deepawali (known as Diyali by these communities) by worshipping livestock. It is a three-day festival involving bovine worship. In the hill state of HP, locals burn pieces of deodar and pine wood on small slabs of rock in each home, seeking peace and prosperity.
Diyari Tihar
The Deepawali of Vanvasis in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar is known as Diyari Tihar. As per tradition, the crocodile is worshipped for the safety of life and property. Also, the community prays to Shitala Mata for the prosperity and well-being of the village.
Budhi Diwali
Hatti Vanvasi community residing in the Sirmaur District of HP’s Trans-Giri region celebrate Budhi Diwali. It is a week-long festival during which a wide array of traditional dishes, such as Badoli, Cidkoo, Malpuda, Patande, and various types of Muda dishes are prepared. In keeping with tradition, the villagers visit the temple of their Kuldevta, where they light a sacred fire before the deity.
Warli & Banjara community traditions
Diwali celebrations in the Warli pada begin with poojas at the Gaondevi and Waghoba shrines, where male community members present offerings of food for blessings, accompanied by an animal sacrifice. Both Warli and Banjara communities hold their cultural practices dear, even as exposure to mainstream culture gradually influences their Diwali traditions. The festival is closely linked to the harvest season, celebrating rice grains, ragi, and vegetables like chawli.
Sohrai Porab
Santhals of Jharkhand’s East Singhbhum District celebrate Sohrai Porab which falls on the day after Diwali. Villagers worship the cattle by lighting lamps, singing songs and offering pujas. The cows are decorated with oil and vermilion. Just like Diwali celebrates the return of Prabhu Sri Rama to Ayodhya from 14 years of exile, Sohrai Porab celebrates the return of the cattle to the tribal villages. On the final day, villagers assemble to find out if anyone has been guilty of mistreating cattle in the village.
Dandar Festival
In Maharashtra’s Chandrapur, the Dandar festival is held during Deepawali. The celebrations started on Bhogi at Yellapur with villagers carrying 75-80 dolls. The day after Diwali Gaigodan is celebrated in which cattle are decorated, their puja is conducted, and they are fed homemade food.
Dandari-Gussadi festival
In Andhra Pradesh’s Adilabad, the Vanvasi tradition involves celebrating the Dandari-Gussadi festival. The Dandari-Gussadi festival, a significant cultural event for ethnic tribes, begins with a dance celebration. The festivities typically start, around a week before Diwali, with tribal communities visiting the Padmalpuri Khako shrine in Gudirevu village along the banks of the Godavari River. During the festive season, Dandari and Gussadi dance troupes travel through tribal villages, staying overnight and performing traditional rituals in each community.
Vasava and Tadvi traditions
The Vasava and Tadvi communities of Gujarat have a unique way of celebrating Deepawali. Both the communities, celebrate Diwali for over 15 days, though they do not use firecrackers. Instead, they burn wood from various trees, believing the smoke purifies the air by killing bacteria, which they say brings health and prosperity. During the festival, they offer liquor and grains to their deities and honour trees as well as water sources like rivers, wells, and ponds.
Naraka Chaturdashi
Naraka Chaturdashi celebrates the slaying of the demon Narakasur by Sri Krishna and Satyabhama. It is celebrated as Choti Diwali or Kali Chaudas in various parts of Bharat. Naraka Chaturdashi celebrations are held particularly in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Goa. However, Goa has a unique tradition in this regard. In Goa, Diwali begins with the burning paper effigies of Narakasura, symbolizing the defeat of evil, which is filled with grass and firecrackers.
Keeping traditions alive for centuries by each successive generation has kept Hindu Dharma alive and earned it the place of the oldest continuously practised civilization in the West. These traditions must be continued and passed on to the coming generations so that the Dharmic flame is kept burning.
(Featured Image Source: Lokmat)
