Significance of Diwali in Different Religions: Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism

Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by various religions in India, each having its own myths and traditions associated with the festival. The three major religions that celebrate Diwali are Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

Hinduism

For the followers of Hinduism, Diwali is a symbolic victory of light over darkness as well as good over evil. The festival is particularly linked to several important legends:

One of the most popular is the great epic Ramayana for which Diwali is celebrated on the return of the Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshmana when they returned from defeating their arch-nemesis in the form of the demonic king Ravana. The lighted diyas or candles lit by Ayodhyans welcomed home the godly triumvirate over evil and victory of righteousness.

Diwali is also the worship of Goddess Lakshmi. She is the wealth and prosperity. Worshippers purify their house with huge pride and lighten the candles welcoming her and believing it is when she comes to her clean home and makes the inside glow. In some places, Narakasura was killed by Lord Krishna: 

South India

On the other hand, mainly in south India Diwali marks the anniversary when Lord Krishna fought against a demon called Narakasura and he murdered him. Narakasura was killed by Krishna a day before Deepavali (Naraka Chaturdashi).

Goddess Kali: In West Bengal and other places, the Diwali festival is regarded as related to the deity Goddess Kali because she personifies strength and destroys evil forces.

Jainism

For Jains, the festival of lights is the most significant where Lord Mahavira achieved nirvana, which was the final Tirthankara's liberation from the life and death cycle in B.C. Such a day symbolizes an enlightened soul; Jains enjoy lighting candles to represent the elimination of darkness by light which is ignorance.

Sikhism

Diwali in Sikhism is a day on which Guru Hargobind Ji was freed from jail by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619. It is a symbol of freedom from oppression. On this day, Sikhs celebrate with lamps and fireworklights at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The themes are liberty and justice.

Diwali is a festival that brings together people across all these religions to view it differently in their own respective cultural contexts. Common themes such as the triumph of good over evil, the significance of light overcoming darkness, and new beginnings celebrated over others are common elements of the festival. More importantly, the festival unifies people and families bonding through rituals and celebrations done together.