Diwali (Deepavali)

Deepavali or Diwali (Festival Of Lights) is a beautiful festival of Hindus. Celebrated 21 days after Dussehra, it marks the return of Lord Rama (Hero of the epic Ramayana) to Ayodhya after his 14 years exile. Thousands of traditional clay lamps are lit in houses all over the country. Lakshmi -the goddess of wealth and prosperity is worshipped. The houses are cleaned and decorated with designs drawn on the floor (kolams). It is believed that Lakshmi only enters homes that are clean and spotless. People wear new apparel, consume a rich and sumptuous feast and burst crackers. 

Diwali is celebrated for five days. Each day dedicated to a special thought. The first day - Dhanteras or Dhantrayadashi literally meaning the festival of wealth, is celebrated in favour of goddess Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth. Dhanteras is observed on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the Vikram Sambat Hindu calendar month of Aaswayuja in the Amaavasyanta Luni-Solar Calendar. Poojas are performed and devotional songs are sung in praise of the goddess and Lord Kuber. Small foot steps are made with rice flour and vermilion powder on the floors of the houses depicting the arrival of the goddess.

Earthen lamps filled with oil having cotton wicks are arranged in neat rows along the walls and parapets in the verandahs. These lamps are lit in the evening and kept throughout the night. Glittering lights are a splendid spectacle. It is generally considered auspicious to buy precious metals especially Gold on Dhanteras, but some celebrate the day by buying new utensils among other things.

Second day the Narka - Chaturdashi  or Choti Diwali, the celebrations are based on a legend of the killing of the Naraka Asura by Lord Krishna. Traditional early baths with oil are made and kumkums are applied on their foreheads. The following days Goddess Kali is worshipped; books are worshipped in a special ceremony, old accounts are settled and new ones are opened and the legend of the Asura king Bali is remembered.  On Diwali day, delicious sweets are prepared and exchanged among friends and relatives. 

Updated on 29/10/2019