The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FESTIVAL OF DIWALI

ALSO CALLED FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, AND IS CELEBRATED IN
NOVEMBER. IT COMMEMORATES A RELIGIOUS MYTH CONCERNING
THE GOD SHIVA AND HIS WIFE, THE GODDESS KALI, WHO THE
PEOPLE WORSHIP IN A SPECIAL WAY AT THIS TIME.
KALI MARRIES SHIVA WHO LIVES IN THE MOUNTAINS CALLED
KAILASH. KALI RETURNS TO VISIT HER FAMILY WHERE
EVERYONE IS MAKING FUN OF HER HUSBAND WHO THEY SAY
LIVES NAKED IN THE MOUNTAINS AND MEDITATES ALL THE
TIME. THEY ASK HER OF WHAT GOOD IS HE AND WHY DID
SHE MARRY HIM.
KALI FINALLY COMMITS SUICIDE AND HER HUSBAND, SHIVA,
ON FINDING HER, PUTS HIS WIFE'S BODY ON HIS SHOULDERS,
AND ENRAGED, HE DANCES THE DANCE OF DESTRUCTION. THE
PEOPLE BEG ANOTHER GOD, VISHNU, TO HELP THEM AND TO PUT
AN END TO ALL OF THE DESTRUCTION. HE TELLS THEM THAT
THEY MUST REMOVE THE WIFE'S BODY FROM SHIVA'S
SHOULDERS.
VISHNU, USING A MAGIC WEAPON, DESTROYS THE WIFE'S BODY
BY CUTTING IT INTO MANY PIECES AND WHERE EACH OF THOSE
PIECES FELL, A TEMPLE WAS BUILT TO MARK THE PLACE
AND TO WORSHIP HER.
UPON THE REMOVAL OF HIS WIFE, THE GOD SHIVA REGAINED
HIS SENSES AND THEN DANCED THE DANCE OF CREATION.
PEOPLE CELEBRATE THE OCCASION BY NUMEROUS AND SPLENDID
FIREWORKS AND LIGHT UP THEIR HOUSES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE
WITH CANDLES. THE WHOLE CITY APPEARS TO BE LIT UP.

Data entry tech comment: OCTOBER-NOVEMBER (KARTIKA)--SPICER, "BOOK OF FESTIVALS,"
KC[ P. 161, KATHY LOESER.
CN[ TYNAN, ANDREA

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; INDIA ; CALCUTTA

Date learned: NOT GIVEN