Diwali, the vibrant “Festival of Lights,” is one of India’s most widely celebrated festivals, observed with grandeur in most parts of the country. However, if you travel to Kerala during Diwali, you’ll notice the celebrations are comparatively modest, if present at all. This often leads to some hilariously misinformed assumptions from outsiders, particularly from northern India, who try to explain why Kerala doesn’t celebrate Diwali with the same enthusiasm. From claims that “you’re all communists” to more bizarre ones like “Mahabali died on Diwali,” the myths are plenty.
Let’s dive into these misconceptions and bust them with facts, while understanding the true cultural and religious reasons behind the way Diwali is observed (or not) in Kerala.
“You People Don’t Celebrate Diwali Because You’re All Communists”
This has to be one of the funniest misconceptions floating around. Yes, Kerala is known for its long history of leftist political governance, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has held significant influence in the state. But to claim that Diwali isn’t celebrated because “everyone’s a communist” is absurd. Religious practices in Kerala, especially among Hindus, are rooted in traditions that predate any political ideologies by centuries. The limited celebration of Diwali has nothing to do with politics but rather stems from Kerala’s unique cultural and religious practices, which are distinct from those in other parts of India.
In fact, many Keralites, regardless of political affiliation, are deeply spiritual and devoted to their religious traditions. Kerala is home to several ancient temples and pilgrimage sites, such as Sabarimala and Guruvayur, which attract millions of devotees every year. The relatively subdued Diwali celebrations are not a political statement but a reflection of how different Hindu festivals hold more significance in Kerala.
“You People Hate Hinduism And Love Beef!”
Another widespread, and quite comical, misconception is that Keralites don’t celebrate Diwali because they “hate Hinduism” and are somehow opposed to Hindu traditions due to their love for beef. This claim is not only inaccurate but offensive to Kerala’s Hindu community, which forms a significant portion of the state’s population (about 54%).
First of all, Kerala’s Hindus are deeply religious, with many temples, festivals, and rituals central to their lives. The state’s Hindus participate actively in festivals like Onam, Vishu, and temple festivals, which often feature elaborate processions and traditional performances. Kerala’s traditions are diverse, and beef consumption is more of a cultural nuance rather than a statement against Hinduism.
The belief that beef consumption somehow correlates with a lack of Diwali celebrations is a ridiculous oversimplification of Kerala’s complex food habits. Kerala’s cuisine is a rich blend of various influences, but food choices do not dictate religious observance.
“Mahabali Died On Diwali, And He Was An Asura, So You Don’t Celebrate?”
This one takes the cake in terms of imaginative mythology! The legend of Mahabali is central to Kerala’s most important festival, Onam. King Mahabali, a benevolent ruler loved by his people, was sent to the netherworld by Vamana, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. According to legend, Mahabali returns to visit his people during Onam, which is why the festival is celebrated with such grandeur in Kerala.
However, to claim that Keralites avoid celebrating Diwali because Mahabali “died” on the same day is pure fiction. There’s no connection between Mahabali’s legend and Diwali. Additionally, Mahabali, despite being an Asura (a mythological demon), is viewed as a beloved ruler in Kerala, not a figure to be scorned or forgotten and he is considered to be a chiranjeevi (one of the seven immortals along with Parashurama, Vibishana, Ashwathama and)…sorry, I could only remember these four legends.
Rama’s Story Has No Role In Kerala’s Diwali Traditions
Now, here’s one misconception that actually contains a kernel of truth! In Kerala’s Hindu tradition, Rama’s return to Ayodhya, which is the central theme of Diwali celebrations in many other parts of India. Whereas, in Kerala, Diwali is often observed as Naraka Chaturdashi, a festival celebrating Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura.
The people of Kerala don’t ignore Diwali out of any hate for the festival but rather because their religious practices and traditions center more around other deities like Krishna, Ayyappa, Bhagavati and Vishnu. Lord Rama is, of course, revered in Kerala, but his return to Ayodhya isn’t the focus of Diwali celebrations in the south, in general as it is in northern India.
Modest Celebrations In Southern Kerala
Contrary to the belief that Kerala entirely ignores Diwali, there are pockets, especially in southern Kerala, where the festival is observed, albeit on a modest level. People in these regions light oil lamps, offer prayers, and sometimes even burst firecrackers, but the celebrations are far more subdued than in northern India. This low-key approach to Diwali is partly because other festivals, like Onam and Vishu, take precedence in the state’s religious calendar.
In southern Kerala, Diwali celebrations are often intertwined with Tantrika practices, a form of temple worship unique to Kerala’s Hinduism, where priests follow elaborate rituals. In these temples, Diwali is marked as Naraka Chaturdashi, with prayers offered to Krishna, signifying the victory of good over evil.
Why Kerala’s Religious Landscape Is Unique
Kerala’s distinct religious practices have evolved over centuries, shaped by local myths, regional deities, and temple rituals. Kerala is known for its unique form of Tantric Hinduism, which combines elements of Shakta (worship of the divine feminine) and Shaiva (worship of Lord Shiva) traditions, often placing less emphasis on festivals like Diwali that are more tied to Vaishnavism (worship of Lord Vishnu, including his incarnations like Rama).
In Kerala, festivals such as Vishu (the harvest festival marking the Malayalam New Year) and Onam (celebrating the return of Mahabali) hold much more cultural and religious significance than Diwali. Even temple festivals, which feature grand processions, elephants, and classical art forms like Kathakali, are more central to the life of Keralites than Diwali.
Conclusion
The subdued Diwali celebrations in Kerala are rooted in historical, cultural, and religious practices that differ from the rest of India. The misconceptions that Keralites “don’t celebrate Diwali because they’re communists” or “because they hate Hinduism” are not only laughable but entirely disconnected from the reality of Kerala’s rich spiritual traditions. While Diwali is indeed celebrated in some parts of Kerala, especially as Naraka Chaturdashi, it does not hold the same prominence as festivals like Onam or Vishu.
In the end, Kerala Doesn’t Celebrate Diwali is a reflection of its unique cultural identity, deeply tied to local legends, rituals, and deities. The myths surrounding Kerala’s Diwali celebrations are a reminder that India’s diversity extends even to the way we celebrate our festivals, and that’s something to be proud of.
