Diwali

Diwali also known as festival of lights have a unique appeal to all classes of people in India. Diwali is one of the biggest Hindu festival in India thats one of the longest, marked by four days of celebration. During the festival almost all the places of India dazzles with brilliant lighting and unlimited joy. Each of the four days in the festival is reserved for separate tradition, but the the common thing is enjoyment and mirthfulness. Diwali is perhaps the most popular event in whole south Asia and an important festival for Jains as well as Sikhs. The main reason behind the celebration is the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. There are various legends across the country, which supports the celebration of the event. According to Western calender, Diwali generally falls in the last week of October or in the first week of November. Because Diwali is associated with goddess of wealth, the day is auspicious for Indian business community as many new venture starts from this day also businessmen usually starts their new project on this day only. Diwali without firework is incomplete. Where the night is embellished with some grandiose firework when even a bourgeoisie class throw plenty of money to but fire crackers. Although in some state government ban all the firecrackers because of noise and air pollution. The festival also some negative aspects as downside of it people often consider this day as a licensed day for gambling. As for years it has been like a ritual to play gamble in this day as it is said that anyone who gambled on Diwali night would do well in rest of the year. Though the fact is many people often suffer from bankruptcy. Diwali is especially very favorite among children as like in Christmas this day is marked by receiving gifts from elders and exchanging traditional sweets. Shopping is also mandatory for Indian before the festival. The shops are revoltingly crowded with people when sales rises exponentially in a week. The festival is also a great occasion for farmers as the festival is celebrate a successful harvest. Undoubtedly this is major festival of India and one shouldn’t miss the glory and pomp in the particular day.

Religious Significance Diwali is a distorted word of Sanskrit word ‘Deepavali’ and a strong religious significance. There are various told and untold legends holds for Diwali. Originally the celebration of this day may have been aimed at escaping from Naraka or hell by propitiating Yama, the god of death and hell, later must have been associated with Krishna’s killing of the demon Narakashura. On this day one is advised to take an oil bath at dawn, pray for the destructions of ones sins, offer tarpan (satitation with a handful of water mixed with sesame) to Yama and light a lamp to naraka(hell). Hindus also believe that on the day of Diwali, Rama returned to Ayodhya, after defeating Ravana, and people of Ayodhya celebrated the day by lighting thousands of lamps. Many places like in Bengal, Bihar goddess Kali is worshiped on this day. Holi In Indian States In Maharashtra And Mysore - In the state of Maharashtra and Mysore, legends here is linked with king Bali who was popular king for his generosity. However, king was arrogant and egotistic and one day god Vishnu came in disguise of dwarf came to rescue people from the wrath of king by asking king for a piece of land equal to three steps, king readily agreed but lord Vishnu took a giant person form and cover his entire fiefdom in two steps and third step he pushed the king to the under land. Since the people celebrate the day with the name of Bali Padyami. The day is not an exception from the rest of part of country when people exchange gifts, worship lord Vishnu and of course fire the crackers. In North India - People in north India observe this day with lighting lamps and decorated with their homes and offices. This day children celebrate the day with fire crackers and exchanging gifts, especially dried fruits and sweets. In South India – In the south people celebrate the festival a fortnight later. Light signify a welcome to prosperity in the form of Lakshmi and firework is said to ward off evil spirits. In Bengal – In Bengal the festival is celebrated for worship of goddess Kali. People make huge idols of Kali and make decorated pandals. The goddess is said to take away darkness. In the evening people in new dress celebrate the festival with burning firecrackers. In Bengal it is one day festival. Now days in maximum homes, earthen lamps have been replaced by dazing electric illumination but the glory of lamp is still unbeatable. Light some lamp in front and inside your house to give a traditional look. Burning fire work is an ultimate fun in the festival season. But avoid noisy firework. Diwali is also know for delicacies. Innumerable type of sweets are the attraction. Spoil your stomach with all kind of sweets. The day is auspicious for buying utensils and jeweleries. Shop for some cheap jewelery in this festive season. Decorate your home with rangoli.