It is not right to modify the basis of every festival established in our scriptures by distorting them as per convenience. Therefore, whether it is Panchang difference or sectarian difference, if its solution has to be found then all sects and followers of different Panchang systems will have to come together and find a solution, otherwise similar disputes will continue to happen every year.
In the last few years, it has been seen that whenever any festival comes, a lot of controversies arise regarding its status. The role of social media in fueling these controversies cannot be ignored. It is in this context that the topic of today’s article has been chosen due to the curiosity of many readers. This Diwali, I received many calls and everyone touched upon this topic and asked me to write on this issue. I discussed scripture based facts with experts in Vrindavan. According to those scholars, there are many reasons behind this.
Acharya Rajesh Pandey, an experienced and expert in astrology and rituals for many years, says that the main reason for this is the geographical location of India. Due to the difference in the time of sunrise and sunset, the dates change and increase. This changes the time of celebrating the festival. At some places the same festival is celebrated earlier and at other places later. Along with this, another reason is the mathematical difference of the almanac. Some almanac makers establish festivals by making mathematics according to ‘Solar Almanac’. But most of the exclusive almanacs are observed using the Drika method. That is why there is no unity in festivals.
A solar calendar is a calendar whose dates reflect the seasons or, almost equivalently, the apparent position of the Sun relative to the stars. The Gregorian calendar, which is widely accepted as a standard in the world, is an example of a solar calendar. The other main types of almanac are lunar almanacs and lunisolar almanacs, whose months correspond to the cycles of the moon. The months of the Gregorian calendar do not correspond to the cycle of the moon’s phases.
Apart from this, another reason for difference in the dates of festivals is sectarian difference. There are many reasons behind differences in different sects. Due to differences or stubbornness among sects, differences have started appearing in the dates of festivals. One sect often declares a date different from that of another sect and the followers of that sect follow it blindly.
Along with this, audacity in sects has also been considered as a reason. The followers of many monasteries, temples etc. are so fanatical that they decide to celebrate festivals only as per the orders of their abbots. Then whether it is based on Panchang or as per the convenience of self-appointed Sadgurus or Jagadgurus, it is followed.
Apart from all this, another important reason is the half-baked ‘knowledge’ circulating on social media. This knowledge being distributed by WhatsApp University has also added fuel to the fire of date controversy. Half-baked knowledge is forwarded as if it is real and scripture-based fact. Not only this, this social media epidemic has had such an impact on a family that disputes have arisen between father and son. Whereas the ‘sheep-like’ tendency is the main reason behind the disputes arising on this and other such topics. In any situation, accepting half-baked knowledge and message as truth is called foolishness. On the other hand, if we believe in evidence based on facts, we can avoid half-baked knowledge.
Regarding the dispute of dates, scholars believe that those who follow the solar calendar insist that they will celebrate Diwali accordingly on the night on which Diwali falls. According to Drik system and religious scriptures, the date on which sunrise occurs and sunset occurs on the same date, then that date is considered complete. But where two Amavasyas are falling, then according to Dharmashastra, Pare Vigraahiya should be observed. If two Amavasyas are being established on Pardosh, then except the Amavasya of the first day, only the Amavasya of the second day should be considered.
If seen, according to the scriptures, Diwali does not only mean wearing new clothes, distributing sweets, festival of lights and fireworks. Diwali is the festival of departure of ancestors to heaven and we light lamps so that the path of our ancestors can be illuminated. Diwali is described in the northern part of Padma Purana. There is special mention of lighting lamps from Ekadashi to Amavasya in the Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. Even among these five days, the last day is considered especially important there. In its importance, it is considered as an ancestral duty and it is said that the ancestors in heaven are pleased by donating this lamp.
What is the use of a horse sacrifice whose army is on fire?
He performed all the sacrifices desired by him and bathed in holy places
The fathers also desire him always surrounded by hosts of ancestors
He will be a devoted father and a good son in our dynasty
One who satisfies Lord Keśava by offering lamps in the month of Kārttika
A lamp is lit with ghee or sesame oil.
During these days of Kartik month, it is important to light lamps with ghee and sesame oil at night after sunset at all places like house, cow shed, temple, crematorium, pond, river etc. By doing this, the ancestors of the person lighting the lamp also get salvation who have committed sinful acts or whose Shraddha was not performed properly.
Sinful fathers and those who perform rituals of lost body and water
Those who are pious by giving lamps also attain supreme liberation.
Prechatturdashi, celebrated a day before Diwali, is widely celebrated in North India. According to a story quoted in the Varshakrikaumudi, a religious man while on a pilgrimage encountered five ghosts who were in terrible distress. The ghosts told him that they live in houses where there is filth, things scattered, utensils lying around and people immersed in grief and filth. The purpose of this story is to educate people about cleanliness and maintaining a positive environment.
Overall, it would be correct to say that it is not right to modify the basis established in our scriptures by distorting it as per convenience. Therefore, whether it is Panchang difference or sectarian difference, if its solution has to be found then all sects and followers of different Panchang systems will have to come together and find a solution, otherwise similar disputes will continue to happen every year.