The Festival of Dipavali (dee-pah-va-li) is an ages old tradtion of the Varati people, dating back to before anyone can remember and anything was written. A celebration lasting five days, the fifth day always happens upon the longest night of the year (solstice) and marks the New Year's Eve for the Varati people. Each day has its own significance and is in preparation for the final night of Dipavali and the New Year to come.
The name Dipavali (also known in some varas as Diwali) literally means rows of light, dipa meaning "light" and avali meaning "row". On the final celebratory night of Dipavali, every home - lowly or mighty - the hut of the poor or the mansion of the rich - is alight with the orange glow of twinkling dipas, which are small clay lamps used solely for this celebration. The purpose of the dipa lamps is to combat the darkness on this, the longest night of the year. The lights are tended throughout the night and everyone stays awake from sunset to sunrise. There are many stories about Dipavali, it origins and meanings, but in the end only one story is told over and over again, the blessing of Dipavali two fold.
The ancient tale told from generation to generation is the gift of Ashur Masad and Ushas, and their promise of faith to their children.
When Ashur Masad and Ushas ruled, the Varati people were happy and prosperous. But there came a time when their adherence to their faith began to wane. Some turned to the old Gods and Goddesses and worshipped them. Temples were left untended and uncared for. The world grew cold, crops failed, and disease and despair struck. During this time the other races came, telling the Varati people that they were fools to believe in Ashur Masad, that their god had abandoned them. The Varati people faltered, afraid, and sent prayers to Ashur Masad and Ushas. The priests and true believers each received a prophetic dream. Ashur stood before them within the blazing circle of the sun and spoke to his children.
The word was spread, and the people quaked in fear, but hurried to prepare. Clay lamps were made day and night, thousands upon thousands of them.
And the Darkness came.
For five days the Darkness reigned, the sky a constant black night, moonless and frightening. With the earth covered in night, so came the monsters and demons of evil and darkness. Everything in their path they devoured and destroyed ... all but the faithful Varati. For the Varati people, in show of their faith in Ashur Masad and his promise, lit every corner with light. Along all the window sills, lining the multitude of streets, atop every wall, along each parapet there was a neverending line of dipa lamps kept lit constantly. Cities and varas glowed with the light, beating back the darkness and frightening away the things that lurked in the safety of its shadows.
For five days the people were faithful, keeping vigil over the dipa lamps, filling them with oil. Not even a single dipa was allowed to go out.
And upon the dawn of the sixth day, the sun rose again. Ushas reached out with her loving hands to caress the earth and her children with the gentle rays of dawn and sweet breezes of fresh air. Ashur Masad rose, glowing and glorious, bringing light to the earth and with his touch destroying all of the evil that lurked in the darkness. And he spoke to his children saying,
And thus, each year, the Varati people celebrate Dipavali on the longest night of the year, in rememberance of their trial and the blessing that Ashur Masad and Ushas gave them for being faithful. It is the mark of the new year, for the gift of their son tranformed the Varati sphere in the following year, and thus forever transformed the Varati people into who they are today.
Day One - Dhanteras
The first thing that happens on Dhanteras is the preparation of the dipa lamps. Everyone participates in making new dipa oil lamps for the festival of Dipavali. The pots are simple enough that even a child could form them - a tiny clay circular pinch pot with one side pinched in slightly, like the lip of a pitcher, the bottom tapped lightly so the pot will not roll. Hundreds upon hundreds of these pots are made and laid out to dry and then be baked so that they will be ready for the first night. Wicks are made from rolling fluffs of cotton between the hands till they are thin and can rest in the bowl of the dipa, one end for soaking up oil and the other end for lighting.After the dipa have been prepared comes the cleansing of house and home. At the entrance way of every house, temple, gateway, and business, to one side of the doorway, are painted Rangoli - rice flour drawings that are a welcome mat. The word Dhan means wealth and all of the wealthy houses and businessnesses renovate and decorate. Entrances are made colorful with traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome in wealth and prosperity. All homes, regardless of status and wealth are cleaned and decorated to grandest extent possible by those residing there. Men take part of this process as well, as using this day to repair their homes and assist in making their households and businesses the most beautiful and welcoming that they can be.
It is also a day to begin purifying and beautifying oneself. Women gather in groups to place mehndhi (beautiful patterns made with henna) upon their hands and feet. The best clothes are pulled out, cleaned, and prepared to be worn in the days to come. Men as well may have their hands henna'd and wear the finest clothes, as well as using this day to repair their homes and assist in making their households and businesses the most beautiful and welcoming that they can be. Women, believing this day to be auspicious will purchase some gold, silver, or at least one or two new utensils. That evening, as the sun starts to set, the dipa lamps which have been placed upon every conceivable ledge are lit and must stay lit until dawns light to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. The Varati people go to temple for prayers and to sing devotional songs. Offerings are laid upon the altars and ridahs are written and gathered. The head Atarvani, or for those so fortunate as to be blessed by the Amir-al himself, speaks to the people, telling them all the story of Dipavali and proffering words of wisdom and prayers. The evening ends with all gathering outside to place their ridahs within a massive sculpture of the sun. Once filled, the sun is lit on fire, burning in a magnificent display as the Varati people burst into song and dance, praising Ashur Masad, Ushas, and Khalid Atar while the flames burn and carry their prayers up the the heavens.
Day Two: Choti
dedicated to lights and prayers heralding a future full of joy and laughter.victory of the divine over the mundane
That evening, as the sun starts to set, the dipa lamps which have been placed upon every conceivable ledge are lit and must stay lit until dawns light to drive away the shadows of evil spirits.
Day Three: Chopata-Puja
Sweets are made, eaten throughout the day, and placed upon altars to sweeten Khalid Atar's tongue and heart so that he might bless his people in the coming year. Prayers are offered for the new year, especially wishes for wealth, fertility, and prosperity. Everyone dresses up in the finest finery and gifts are exchanged between friends and family. It is a day of Festival, the grounds decorated lavishly, food abounding, and with games afoot. Competitions, gambling, and races are the main part of the days entertainment, and the mood of the day is frivolous and joyful. It is a day to remember what it is to be truly alive and filled with the Neverending Fire. The celebration carries on well into the night when again, the dipa lamps are lit and tended until dawns light.
Day Four: Bhayya-duj
On this day, family is remembered and the bonds between men and women are strengthened by the relationships of brothers and sisters. An invitation is sent to all brothers to be welcomed into the homes of their sisters. On this particular day a woman will place a tilak on forehead of her brother, garlanded him, and indulge him with special dishes. Together brother and sister eat sweets, talk and enjoy themselves to their heart's content. The brother then gives his sister a special parting gift as a token of his love and in return the sister also gives her brother a lovely gift which she had made with her own hands. This day is observed as a symbol of love between sisters and brothers. It is imperative for the brother to go to his sister's house to celebrate and if there is any strife between them, to bring it to and end and foster peace and love between them. Once again, as night falls, the dipa lamps are lit and tended until dawns light.
Day Five: Padwa
This final day of Dipavali recognizes the firm faith of the Varati people through the continued burning of the dipa lamps, and celebrates the gift of Ashur Masad and Ushas - their joining which brought forth the birth of Khalid Atar. It is an auspicious day to be married, and throughout the day, sweets are eaten and wine, often spiced with aphrodisacs and herbs that promote fertility, drunk. On this day newly-married daughters with their husbands are invited to their in-laws for special meals and given presents. It is believed that of any day of the year, this is the most blessed day to conceive a child, for this day is in honor of the spark between Ashur Masad and Ushas which in turn gave forth into being Khalid Atar. A child conceived on this day is doubly blessed, and thus wives strive to become pregnant on this most holy eve of the new year.It is custom for the wife to put the red tilak on the forehead of her husband, garland him, tend to his needs, and proffer forth a prayer for his long life. In appreciation of all the tender care that the wife showers on him, the husband gives her a costly gift. This Gudi Padwa is symbolic of love and devotion between the wife and husband.
As the sun sets, a huge bonfire is built in addition to all of the dipas that are laid out. A massive celebration is held where songs are sung, food is eaten, and everyone dances to bring light, joy, and happiness upon the day. Everyone wears their best clothes, especially anything that glitters and reflects light. Gowns with gold embroidery or pieces of mirror and reflective metals are worn so that the individual might reflect light and push back the darkness as well. Jewelry is often worn in abundance. Tears, saddness, and bitterness are not allowed on this day, nor is any cruelty. To indulge in anything negative is to taint the new year with evil and darkness. Once the sun has set, all boundaries are dropped; all classes are equal for one night and shudra may go unveiled and celebrate alongside kshatri. Then long night is punctuated by displays of fireworks, great and small, which remind the Varati people of how Ashur Masad's light and strength frightened away and burned to ashes all of the evils that hid in the darkness.
On this night -everyone- stays awake for the entirety of the night. On each previous night, the dipas must be tended, but the Varati people are allowed to sleep and watch over the lights in shifts to ensure the lamps remain full of oil. On this final day of Dipavali, the Varati people see the night through from sunset to sunrise to properly give thanks to Ashur Masad and Ushas for their bountiful blessings.