Diwali is known to be a festival of Lights. People lit their homes with bulbs and traditional clay diyas. The use of cracker too is very common on this occasion. But not many people are aware that the night of Diwali is popular for gambling too. Even before the start of the festival many people indulge in this games to try their luck. These days Diwali is not the same anymore. I am missing the original Diwali vibes. In rural areas diwali is more about the gambling and not the reason for which it was originally celebrated. You can easily find group of people in small groups playing cards in open fields or behind some closed door. The roots and reason for which the festival was celebrated is slowly disappearing.
Tonight, with luck/ fate is a common phrase used during the Diwali night. The Diwali often known as Deepavali is the festival of lights symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil. The day, commemorates the return of Prince Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana. It was also the day when Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. As per hindu mythology, Lakshmi is the deity of wealth, prosperity, and spiritual well-being, and the night of Diwali is considered an auspicious time to invite her blessings into homes and businesses. Devotees used to clean, decorate, and light up their homes with diyas (oil lamps) because it is believed Goddess Lakshmi visits clean, bright, and welcoming households to bless them with financial stability and abundance. However, over the last few year, the rural people can be seen desperately waiting for the festival so that they can try their luck on the game of gambling.
Shuffling cards and burning cash - just traditional Diwali things.
Diwali and Gambling goes hand in hand. Gambling on diwali is done through card games like Teen Patti and Rummy. It is a traditional practice tied to mythology, symbolism, and a social test of luck. In my village people believe that winning on Diwali night signals good luck and financial growth for the rest of the year. Losing is often accepted lightly as a way to keep wealth flowing or ward off bad luck. Many believe that playing games of chance on Diwali night pleases Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity, and encourages her goodwill for the household. The games act as a lighthearted way to test year round fortune, remind participants of the fickle nature of luck, and teach a sense of balance in handling material wealth. Last year one of my fellow villagers won Rs.88000 on a single diwali night. He played the card game whole night and won the huge sum of money.
I am feeling pity for to those person who loses money on the auspicious festival night. Round the year the village youth works in in far away location and on a single night they may end up on losing cause.
Gambling is addictive
Festive gambling or high stakes card games like of Teen Patti or Rummy often swallow festival bonuses, monthly savings, or other cash gifts. When people lose money, a strong psychological impulse pushes them to keep playing to win back what they lost. The deep human urge to win back what was just lost drives players to keep going rather than walking away with a deficit. In process they may end exhausting their savings too.Last night, I was therein one such small gathering inside a room. The place was buzzing with chatter, friendly teasing among each other, and sudden bursts of cheers or groans over a hand of Teen Patti cards. Being a remote areas people do not have the casino or gambling place, however they have organised a special place for themselves. I was there only for few min just for the entertainment yet saw many ahhh and ouchh inside the room. Few of them lost big amount, still they kept going.
In the nutshell the original cause of the festive has changed and people found a new way to make the occasion grand for themselves. The scene is not much different in big cities. They too try their luck games, but the scene would be much different than what is experienced in villages.
In good faith - Peace!!