he word diwali comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means a row of lamps. Diwali is indeed a festival were you can see twinkling lamps everywhere you look! This festival is celebrated almost all over India on a new moon night in October or November, different religion have different reasons for the festival.
In North India, diwali is a five day celebrations. In Gujarat, the first day, Dhanteras, is the day to buy new clothes and ornaments. The second day celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura, and the highlight of the day is the oil bath that everyone takes. The third day is a day devoted to the worship of Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth. On the fourth day the Govardhana Mountain, is worshipped. Finally, the fifth day is Bhaiyadooji, when women invited brothers and their families for lunch, and are given gifts in return.
Diwali also celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile, and homes are lit with lamps to welcome him home. In South India, it is the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura that is important. In Gujarat, Diwali is the beginning of the New Year, and Lakshmi Puja has a key role in the celebrations. In Bengal, the Goddess Kali is worshipped on this new moon night, and so it is celebrated as Kali Puja. But North, South, East or west, Diwali is a joyous celebration marked by merriment and the brilliant glow of sparkling fireworks and thousands of flickering lamps.
Diwali is basically a family festival, a time for relatives to meet and exchange sweets and gifts. New clothes mouthwatering delicacies, the thunder and brilliance of fireworks, and dancing flames of thousands of earthenware pots called diyas, greeting cards and visitors….all make Diwali truly India’s favorite festival.
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