I come back again with my favourite rant.
Today is chhoti Diwali. Tomorrow is badi Diwali – the Festival of Lights. It is on this day that Lord Ram returned to his kingdom, Ayodhya Nagari, after fourteen long years of exile and a fierce battle with the demon king, Ravana. The residents of Ayodhya welcomed him with the celebration of lights. The nightscape of the entire city transformed into glittering daylight. We continue the tradition till this day and celebrate Diwali with fan fare.
But come Diwali my mind gets wired around the same question: how much and how long do we hold on to tradition ?
Is tradition unchangeable ? Can we not modify traditional celebrations in accordance with the need of the hour ? Do we really go against our faith and religion if we do so ?
Every tradition has a scientific and historical base.
To go by the mythological story of the subjects of Ayodhya expressing their heartfelt joy on return of their beloved king was the truth of that moment. I am sure they must have lit thousands of earthen lamps around the city which did not cause any harm to the environment. They must have celebrated with fireworks which were not an auditory menace. People of that era had far more sense, scientific temper and care for Nature than we have now.
The spring cleaning which every household undertakes pre-Diwali is an exercise in decluttering and cleansing the homes of negative energies accumulated over a period of time.
This is also the time of seasonal change. I remember when we were small burning of fire crackers helped eliminate mosquitoes and other insects, (especially those that danced around lights), which invaded like locusts during this time of the year.
In current times, urban cities are lit up with electric or battery operated lights. The burning of oil in earthen lamps which used to purify the air is no longer in use. The fire crackers are still there and have become noisier and smokier. There was an endeavour to introduce green crackers in the markets which have not been very successful because consumers have stuck to non-eco-friendly crackers as per news reports.
Given the poor weather conditions and the continued stubble burning in the farmlands of the nearby states, the Air Quality Index or AQI has already deteriorated. It is anticipated that post Diwali the AQI will deteriorate further.
Most households have patients, elderly members and even younger members suffering from chronic ailments like cinositis, asthma, bronchial problems thanks to pollution. The rise in noise and air pollution, due to burning of crackers preceding and on Diwali night, will undoubtedly give rise to health issues and unavoidably inflated medical expenditure. Above all, the sensorial and psychological damage that our rowdy celebration inflicts on the animals!!
Then why can’t we think of celebrating the occasion keeping in mind the present environmental and health conditions than just continue with the age old traditional ways ? Why do we forget that the inception of these traditions occurred in way different situation and for way different purpose?
We are all knowledgeable sinners. We indulge in our vices knowingly furnishing a very innocent excuse as a cover up that “we should not kick the others in the stomach” implying those who are making a livelihood out of this tradition should not be deprived of their earnings. It’s a fact that the enormous commercial aspect of any traditional celebration cannot be overlooked. But what we forget is that those who are profiteering from this ‘trade of tradition’ will still find ways to do so if we reform our ways of celebrations.
It is not sacrilegious if we adapt tradition to current necessities. Traditions are not intrinsically static and immutable. Haven’t so many deeply rooted traditions been done away with for the sake of social and religious reforms?
Let’s rewire our beliefs, thinkings and actions. Let our homes shimmer with lights, let the sky be adorned with noiseless fireworks, let’s welcome Lakshmiji , the Goddess of Prosperity, with reverence, let’s pray to Maa Kali, the Goddess of Empowerment, from our heart and soul, let’s distribute and savour sweets and delicacies, let’s extend a helping hand to the less privileged and make their Diwali as joyful as ours, let’s celebrate Diwali safely and with noble intent.
Wish you all a very happy and safe Diwali.
A very Happy Diwali, Geeta!
Joanna
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Thank you and same to you and your family.
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Thank you, Geeta!
Joanna
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Happy Diwali 😊
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Happy Diwali 🪔
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Thank you Luisa and same to you
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🫶💫🫶
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I found your thoughts on Diwali very moving and meaningful. The way you spoke about the balance between tradition, its scientific basis, environmental impact, and social responsibility is extremely important. Today is a time of change, and traditions need to be intelligently reshaped to suit contemporary needs. As you said, traditions are not static and immutable; rather, they evolve with social, cultural, and environmental contexts. The core message of Diwali is the triumph of light over darkness, prosperity, and social harmony. However, the current excessive use of fireworks and pollution has begun to impact health and nature. Therefore, we should celebrate this festival with the resolve of a “Green Diwali” and a “Peaceful Celebration,” which, while honoring our cultural heritage, also serves as a step towards environmental protection and health safety. Inspired by your vision, we should all resolve to celebrate our traditions with new thinking, new energy, and social responsibility. This will truly be the true message of festivals – connecting with the past, but understanding the challenges of the present and moving towards the future. Thank you for your thoughts and Happy Diwali to you and all your family members.
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Thank you very much for your understanding and comment. I wish you and your family a very happy Diwali too.
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🙏🙏🙏
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That’s a fair point, GC.
While the post rightly raises concerns about health and the environment, neither stubble burning nor Diwali celebrations can be stopped overnight. Both have deep roots — one agricultural, the other cultural.
Every religion has its own sacred customs, and whether people choose to adapt or continue them should be left to their own conscience.
Matters of faith are best guided by belief, not by advice.
Let’s respect traditions, care for the environment, and allow everyone to celebrate as their heart and faith guide them.
Wishing all a Diwali of light, peace, and goodwill. ✨🎆
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You are right but one has to harp on the same tune to bring in change in people’s beliefs.
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enjoyed your post and the call to make changes – I like how you wored this: celebrating the occasion keeping in mind the present environmental and health conditions
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Thank you Yvette and season’s greetings to you and your family 🙏
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🙂🙂 🙏
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🪔✨ Happy Diwali! ✨🪔
May your life sparkle with love, laughter, and endless happiness.
Wishing you a season filled with warmth, togetherness, and beautiful new beginnings.
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Thank you so much and sane to you and your family too
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Happy Diwali….
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Thank you and same to you too
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Wide-ranging thoughts. We have Bonfire night on 5th November dating back to an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament half a millennium ago. How many people know the origin of the event or the names of the fireworks used in celebration? A controversy rages now about whether we should keep the tradition at all.
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Happy Diwali
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Thank you very much and same to you and your family 🙏
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Most welcome
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I hope your Denali was meaningful to you and celebrated as you saw fit, Geeta.
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Thank you so much Mary. Season’s greetings to you.
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Profound post. Happy Diwali.
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Happy Diwali to you too
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Happy Diwali Everyone.
Yes, tradition . . .its one of those where just as many people you have trying to make changes here n there . .you have just as many upholding it but whats important . . Maybe . . .is that the origin and meaning behind it all doesn’t get forgotten or glamourised in any way, which seems to be the case with many a tradition, too commercialised.
Traditions are rooted deeply in cultures that it is difficult to change as we know no other way. So long as people are respectful and happy, tradition will continue.
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Happy Diwali . . .
Every generation owes the next the duty to guard and protect culture and traditions.
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Happy Diwali to you and your family 🙏.
Tradition minus AQI 🤣😂
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