Better known as Deepavali or the festival of lights, Diwali is a Hindu festival that marks the triumph of good over evil. In some parts, it is a five-day festival and in some – it is a one or two-day celebration. This year October 26 (Wednesday) is the designated holiday.
Irrespective of the rituals involved, the festival brings together people from different faith into the spirit with best wishes for peace, prosperity and happiness. The festive week starts with Dhanteras and ends with Bhaiduj (also Bhayyaduj).
In the Hindu epic Ramayan, Diwali festival commemorates Lord Rama's return to his kingdom of Ayodhya after completing 14 years' exile. As it was "Amavasya" or the dark night of a new moon, people of Ayodhya lit small lights to welcome their beloved king. To this date, Hindus light up their home and surroundings to celebrate the same.
According to Hindu mythology Ram is seen as an incarnation (Avatar) of Lord Vishnu and his wife Sita is seen as the incarnation of Laxmi – the Goddess of wealth. Diwali begins with the worship of Laxmi, seeking her blessings for prosperity and wealth.
People celebrate the festival by decorating their home with bright lights, wearing new clothes and distributing sweets with their near and dear ones. While women wear the traditional saris, men wear the likes of Kurta-Pajama. However, the attire varies from region to region.
The day starts with family ritual at home and then a visit to the nearby temple. People then arrange get together party during lunch leading to evening prayer and Laxmi puja at home. Amid an ensemble of ritualistic chore, the essence of Diwali is to rejoice the triumph of light over darkness.
In any festival here in India, no festival is complete without delicious food dishes and, of course, sweets. In every household, you will find a variety of sweets along with dry fruits, which people just love to relish and distribute.
Considered as the most popular of Hindu festivals outside India, Diwali (Dipavali) is also being celebrated in various parts of the world. Diwali, the festival of lights, aims at dispelling the darkness and lighting up the lives and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Diwali falls on October 26 this year.
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