Diwali-The Festival of Lights
Deepavali is known as the festival of lights. The festival,
which is known as ‘Diwali’ in north India
and ‘Deepavali’ in south India
is celebrated by for five days. It symbolizes the victory of good over bad. Hindus,
Sikhs and Jains consider this festival very important. Diwali or the festival
of lights is now celebrated not only in India but all over the world by
immigrants and non resident Indians. Diwali is a national holiday in India.
Diwali day is calculated on the basis of the Hindu
Luni-Solar calander and falls on Ashwin Amavasya or lunar day of new moon. This
day is very important. It is the Hindu New Year. The people worship Lashmy Devi
and Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles and ensure a prosperous new year ahead.
The five days of Diwali are Dhanteras- (prayers to Lakshmy Devi for wealth and
prosperity), Choti Diwali- ( Naraka Chaturdashi in south India is celebrated to
mark the victory of Lord Sri Krishna over the demon Narakasura and north
Indians celebrate the return of Lord Sri Rama from exile after killing Ravana
the demon), Diwali- ( the main day on which new dress is worn after having oil bath,Ganesh pooja and Lashmy pooja are performed,
sweets are gifted, lamps are lit in houses and fireworks are burst), Padwa or
fourth day- ( Govardhan pooja is performed to mark the egoistic defeat of Indra
Deva by Lord Sri Krishna who lifted the mountain Govardhana with his finger and south Indians celebrate it as
the defeat of King MahaBali by Lord Vishnu) and Bhaidhuj or Yama Dwitiya-(
sisters pray for their brothers and brothers in turn visit their married sisters
and give them gifts like Lord Yama did).
Diwali is a time to celebrate, to have fun and spread the
light of joy. People gift greeting cards imprinted with lights and decorations,
make lots of sweets and share it with family, friends and guests, burst
crackers, light lamps known as ‘diyas’ in homes and streets and decorate the
threshold of their houses with ‘rangoli’. Rangoli Competitions are usually
held. People visit each other and give gifts to children. The diwali
celebrations in Guyana
are known for its parade of floats. Diwali is indeed a ‘light’ festival, an
occasion to spread cheer and remove the darkness.