Diwali – The Festival of Lights

Diwali is celebrated in memory of Lord Sri Ram returning to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile. Lord Ram returned home after defeating the evil King Ravana. This day was celebrated by people of Ayodhya by illuminating the entire kingdom with lights. Hence, Diwali is celebrated every year after Dussehra to signify the victory of good over evil.

Diwali is one of the most enjoyable and important festivals celebrated by the Hindus. Besides Hindus, several other people across India celebrate it with great pleasure and fun. Every year this festival falls in the months of October or November. Both young and old look forward to Diwali as it brings happiness and joy.

Diwali is known as the ‘delight of lanterns’ or `festival of lights’. It is the festival to bring home happiness, peace, progress and prosperity. People make various kinds of preparations well in advance. Houses and shops are cleaned. Some prefer painting them before the festival. Various sweets are prepared. New clothes are bought or stitched. In the evening, houses are lit with torans, lanterns, colourful candles and small earthen diyas.

This festival lasts for five days. On the first day, Goddess Lakshmi showers her blessings for prosperity and wealth throughout the year. The second day is called Narak Chaturdasi. On this day, Lord Krishna had destroyed the devil Narakasur. on the third day, Lakshmi puja is performed in the evening to get the blessings from the Goddess of Wealth. On this fourth day, Govardhan puja is performed. The fifth day is called as, `Bhai Duj’. It is a day devoted to sisters. On this day, Yama the Lord of death visited his sister Yamuna. Yama gave his sister a blessing that people visiting her on this day shall be freed from all evils. From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day. These five days are the days of jubilation and devotion.

Women and young girls make attractive and colourful rangoli designs outside their house. Flowers and garlands are used to increase the beauty of the houses. Crackers are bought by the children. At night, the sky is full of colourful fireworks. Rockets, noisy bombs, sparklers, fountains, etc. are burnt with great joy. However, today many grownup children have become aware about the harmful effects of crackers like sound and air pollution. Thus, they have started avoiding the use of crackers.

The day following Diwali is observed as the Hindu New Year. It also marks the beginning of a new business year. Merchants and shopkeepers close their accounts for the year and open new accounts for the New Year. A new Hindu calendar begins.

On the day of New Year, people visit their friends and relatives to exchange gifts and greetings with each other. Thus, Diwali unites people and brings togetherness.