According to Hindu mythology Diwali is celebrated to mark the triumph of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu over the demon Narkasura, who unleashed great misery amidst the people of the world. Narkasura who was a demon of filth abducted beautiful young women and compelled them to live with him. However, their cries for help reached Vishnu who appeared in the form of Krishna. Initially, Krishna had to overpower a five-headed monster who defended the demon’s home. However Narkasura pleaded with Krishna to make his death a joy for others. Krishna acceded to his request and the women were liberated. For Hindus, this legend is a pointer to the fact that good can still emerge from evil.

According to another legend, Diwali acts as a reminder to the Hindus of the significance of food. According to folklore, many years ago in the village of Gokula, people paid their reverence to God Indra believing that it was Indra who sent the rains which made their crops luxuriant. However, Krishna insisted that the people should worship the mountain Govardhan, since the mountain and the adjoining land were fertile. This infuriated Indra who sent thunder and heavy rain down on the village. The people sought Krishna’s help. Krishna came to the aid of the villagers by lifting the top of the mountain with his finger.

The other version is that when Lord Vishnu in the guise of Vamana, sought three feet of land from the generous demon king Bali, the latter had to surrender his head as Vamana had conquered the earth and the sky in two strides. Lord Vishnu banishes Bali into the Pathala Loka (netherland) by keeping his third stride on Bali's head. Later, pleased by his generosity, Lord Vishnu grants him a boon and he in turn requests the Lord to guard his palace at Pathala Loka.

Significance in Sikhism

The story of Diwali for the Sikhs is a story of the Sikh struggle for freedom. From the time of Guru Nanak (1469 – 1539), the founder of Sikhism, popular seasonal or folk festivals like the harvest festival of Baisakhi, or previously ancient Hindu festivals such as Holi and Diwali began to take on a new significance for the Guru’s students, the Sikhs. The Guru used these festivals and special days e.g. first day of each lunar month, as symbols or pegs for his teaching themes. The enlightened ideology of Guru Nanak gave new significance to ancient festivals like Diwali and Baisakhi

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