Diwali, traditionally known as Deepawali is one of the most important Hindu Festivals in India. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India. India shines like a golden star on the dark night of Amasvasya or New Moon. This festival of light is celebrated on the dark night of new moon. People wear new clothes and decorate their house with fancy lightings, light beautiful fire crackers and exchange sweets and other goodies with their friends and relatives on the festival of Diwali. Diyas are especially lighted to welcome Goddess Lakhsmi into their homes. Lakshmi is the Indian Goddess of wealth and well being.
About Festival Diwali
The term “Deepavali” truly depicts the original meaning of this festival. Deepawali is the festival of lights where you light diyas or deepas to show your sense of celebration. Generally the festival of Diwali falls in the month of October or November. It is the biggest Indian festival. It has great significance in the Hindu culture as well. It has ancient historic origin and its back story is related to the Indian Mythology of Ramayana. Diwali is said to commemorate the return of Lord Rama along with wife Sita and brother Lakshman from their exile.
Importance of Diwali
Diwali is the Indian Festival of Lights which celebrates the triumph of good over evil. It celebrates the triumph of Lord Rama over Rakshasha Raavan. Raavan kidnapped Rama’s wife Sita from the forest while they were on their exile. Lord Rama took the help of the Vaanar Sena to defeat Raavan and ultimately get his beloved wife back. The battle was fierce but ultimately the good that is Lord Rama won and Raavan was killed. After this epic battle when Lord Rama returned to his homeland of Ayodhya along with Sita and Lakshman, the natives of Ayodhya lighted diyas on the dark night of Amavasya to celebrate the victory of good over evil. Ever since then, the festival of Diwali was celebrated on the dark new moon night to commemorate the victorious return of Lord Rama and also to spread the word that good always wins and evil always looses.
Nowadays businessmen in India worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi on the night of Diwali. Diwali is said to be the start of the new business year and therefore businessmen worship the wealth goddess and wellbeing god to ensure they have safe and sound business year. The night of Diwali is also known for its Kali Pooja Celebration. Kali is the Indian Goddess of Destruction.
Moreover, the festival of Diwali is celebrated for a five day period every year. The first day of the festival is Dhanteras. On this day people buy gold and silver and also the idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi. The next day is Naraka Chaturdashi, on this day people clean their houses to ward off the evil and the bad luck. This day is also referred to as Choti Diwali. The third day is the main festival of Diwali when people finally worship Ganesh-Lakshmi for good luck. The fourth day is Jamghat or Govardhan Pooja, kids fly kites on this day. The fifth and last day is Bhai Dooj. This is a festival for brothers and sisters. Sisters put tilak on their brother’s forehead while their brothers give them gifts.