Deepaavali(Diwali)
Diwali
is one of the biggest festival of Hindus, celebrated with great enthusiasm and
happiness in India. The festival is celebrated for five continuous days, where
the third days is celebrated as the main Diwali festival or 'Festival of
lights'. Different colorful varieties of fireworks are always associated with
this festival. On this auspicious day, people light up diyas and candles all
around their house. They perform Laxmi Puja in the evening and seek divine
blessings of Goddess of Wealth. The festival od Diwali is never complete without
exchange of gifts. People present diwali gifts to all near and dear ones.
Diwali Festival In
India
"Diwali",
the festival of lights, illuminates the darkness of the New Year's moon, and
strengthens our close friendships and knowledge, with a self-realization!
Diwali is
celebrated on a nation-wide scale on Amavasya - the 15th day of the dark
fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin, (October/November) every year. It
symbolizes that age-old culture of India which teaches to vanquish ignorance
that subdues humanity and to drive away darkness that engulfs the light of
knowledge. Diwali, the festival of lights even to-day in this modern world
projects the rich and glorious past of India.
Every year on the
dark nights of Diwali the sound of firecrackers announces the celebration of
the favorite festival of Indians. Homes are decorated, sweets are distributed
by everyone and thousands of lamps are lit to create a world of fantasy. Of all
the festivals celebrated in India, Diwali is by far the most glamorous and important.
Enthusiastically enjoyed by people of every religion, its magical and radiant
touch creates an atmosphere of joy and festivity.
The ancient story
of how Diwali evolved into such a widely celebrated festival is different in
various regions and states of India. In the north, particularly in Uttar
Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar and the surrounding areas, Diwali is the day
when King Rama's coronation was celebrated in Ayodhya after his epic war with
Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. By order of the royal families of Ayodhya and
Mithila, the kingdom of which Sita was princess, the cities and far-flung
boundaries of these kingdoms were lit up with rows of lamps, glittering on dark
nights to welcome home the divine king Rama and his queen Sita after 14 years
of exile, ending with an across-the-seas war in which the whole of the kingdom
of Lanka was destroyed. 
On the day of
Diwali festival, doorways are hung with torans of mango leaves and marigolds.
Rangolis are drawn with different colored powders to welcome guests. The
traditional motifs are often linked with auspicious symbols of good luck. Oil
diyas are arranged in and around the house. Because of these flickering lamps,
the festival has acquired its name : Dipawali or Diwali meaning 'a rows of
lamps'. On this day, people buy something for the house or some jewelry for the
women of the house. It is auspicious to be buy something metallic, such as
silver.
Whatever may be
the fables and legends behind the celebrations of Diwali, all people exchange
sweets, wear new clothes and buy jewelry at this festive time. Card parties are
held in many homes. Diwali has become commercialized as the biggest annual
consumer spree because every family shops for sweets, gifts and fireworks.
However, in all this frenzy of shopping and eating, the steady, burning lamp is
a constant symbol of an illuminated mind.
Note:Subject taken
from Various Sites.