Diwali or the Festival of Lights is the major and the biggest Hindu festival celebrated in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji. It is an ancient Hindu festival also known as Deepavali and celebrated by the Sikhs as well.
Diwali is celebrated on the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika. This year the festival falls on the 11 November (10 November in South India).
The etymology of Diwali derives from the Sanskrit fusion word Dipawali formed from two words dipa meaning light and avali meaning series or line. During Diwali, lights illuminate every corner of India, mingled with the sounds of fire-crackers. It is the brightest festival in India.
There are various legends associated with the origins of Diwali. As told in the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana it celebrates Prince Rama’s victorious return to Ayodhya after vanquishing the demon king Ravan. In joyous celebration of the return of their king after 14-year long exile in the forest, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst crackers.
Some believe Diwali festival to be the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi the Goddes of Wealth with Lord Vishnu. Disregarding varied interpretations Diwali symbolizes a victory of light over darkness and hope over despair.
The main event of the festival in North and West India is Lakshmi Puja, the worship of the Goddess of wealth. It is believed that Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Vishnu’s wife roams the earth on Diwali’s night. To invite the Goddess in, people place small earthenware lamps diyas filled with oil on their windowsills and balcony ledges to light up the path for her. It is believed that Lakshmi visits all her devotees and bestows gifts and blessings upon each of them. To welcome the Goddess, people clean their houses, decorate them with finery and lights, and prepare sweet treats and delicacies as offerings. It is said that the happier Lakshmi is with the visit, the more she blesses the family with health and prosperity for a good year ahead.
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