Diwali is a festival of twinkle lights, shopping gifts, wearing new clothes, shining diyas, beautiful rangolis, decorating houses, bursting firecrackers and savoring delicious dishes. It is no doubt one of the most awaited and biggest festivals in India which is filled with unsurpassed enthusiasm, high spirits and endless happiness.
This festival marks the victory of the glow of darkness when many lamps and lights dissipate the darkness of the new moon. Candles and diyas are placed at every nook of the house to give the entire landscape a heavenly look. The festival creates an atmosphere of joy, happiness and prosperity. It leads to ultimate bliss and enjoyment in people’s lives. The Indian festival of lights – Diwali.
History and rituals behind Diwali celebration
The festival of lights i.e. Diwali, is generally celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Ashwin and Kartika (October or November) according to the Hindu lunar calendar. However, legend has it that when Lord Rama (King of Ayodhya) defeated Ravana (the demon king of Lanka), the people of Ayodhya covered the entire kingdom with lamps to commemorate Rama’s return.
It is for this reason, that Diya has become an integral part of the Diwali festival. Also, on this auspicious day, Goddess Lakshmi is considered as the Goddess of Wealth and Lord Ganesha, the God of Wisdom and Education is honored to bring good luck and prosperity in the coming year. After the ‘Pooja’ ceremony is over, people distribute sweets to each other, seek blessings from older members of the house, enjoy bursting crackers and enjoy a lip-smack dinner together.
Dhanteras festival marks the beginning of Diwali festival in India. It is a day when people are busy cleaning their homes and business premises. On this day, the birthdays of Goddess Lakshmi and Dhanvantari – considered as the goddess of wealth and prosperity, are offered special worship.
The goddess is allowed to burn overnight to show respect and welcome the goddess. According to many people, shopping for new items, especially kitchen utensils, gold and silver items is considered to bring good luck and prosperity. Traders or traders stock their shops with desired items so that people can celebrate the festival of lights with great joy.
Best Experiences of Deepawali
Witness the most mesmerizing form of Ganga in Haridwar and Varanasi
Celebrating in Haridwar and Varanasi can be an ideal suggestion. As the evening sky deepens, devotees light diyas on this major Hindu festival before going to the river to swim on the ghats, a long-standing tradition. Gradually thousands of lamps float on the water; The scene is spectacular; It seems as if the stars have fallen on the earth. Constant fireworks and special evening aarti sanctify the entire atmosphere.
Cheer as Narakasura Demon is Set Ablaze in Goa
The establishment of Narakasura, a demon (according to Hindu mythology), is a Goan tradition on fire and is also a major event on the Diwali festival in India. The day before, a big competition is held in every village and town, which shows who can make the largest effigy of Narakura. These effigies are set on fire at dawn on the day of Diwali, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. On Diwali, as it is said, ‘Maka bhi hai dastur bhi’ you should go to one of the casinos in Goa to gamble.
See the Golden Temple adorned like a bride in Amritsar
There is a beautiful Golden Temple in Amritsar, where you can look forward to enjoying an unforgettable celebration. Given the fact that on the day of Diwali, Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, which marks the celebration of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind ji’s return from Mughal imprisonment, the Golden Temple is wrapped in lights. Floating diyas illuminate the lake and can soak in a spiritual atmosphere that is often characterized by an echo of kirtan (prayer). See the city taking a bath in the light and enjoy the bliss here on Diwali.
Set your eyes for the sky in Mumbai
Although nothing is different on Diwali in Mumbai, the view of the city is worth seeing. Firework is the main attraction here that eventually illuminates the night sky. The best place to see firework in Mumbai would be Marine Drive, where the already magnificent Queen of Arc makes for an ideal backdrop.
Pour Oil in Lamps in Purushwadi
Purushwadi is a small village on the top of a hill along the Mumbai-Nashik highway. Families in the city organize a bonfire on the night of Deepawali and cook local food. Children, on the other hand, go from house to house, sing traditional songs and ask each householder to pour oil in their oil lamps, with sticks in their hands. This is a good tradition and a unique one.; So if you are considering a peaceful Festival (no fireworks and firecrackers), then Purushwadi can be an ideal place.
Kali Puja in Kolkata
The dates of Kali Puja and Lakshmi Puja coincide and West Bengal chooses to worship on Diwali for its beloved goddess Kali. However, the best place for Kali Puja in West Bengal is Kolkata. A day before the puja, the entire city bathes at midnight in the light of candles, colored electric bulbs and lamps to celebrate the start of the important day.
Diwali in Jaipur
To increase the joy of Diwali in Jaipur, a big shopping festival takes place. Known as the Jaipur Shopping Festival, it is organized by the trade union in Jaipur to promote trade in the state. Small and big markets in Jaipur participate in shopping festivals, which means shoppers have a large amount of items to choose from. Cultural shows and demonstrations, polo and golf tournaments are also organized to grab the attention of the people. It is indeed one of the best places of Diwali.
Paint Threshold Red in Kumaon
Along with other common preparations, Kumaon (Kumaon region is a sub-division of the state of Uttarakhand) has an important Indian festival, in which the threshold of a house is colored red. The ocher (filtered red clay) and rice solution (rice is soaked in water and then grinded to make a fine paste) are used to pull at the door of the house. This art form is called Aipan, in which a thick layer of ocher is first applied to the door and then drawn from a rice solution with a paint brush. According to the Kumaoni people, this is the way to welcome Goddess Lakshmi to their home. Along with other beautiful patterns, the footprints of Goddess Lakshmi are also drawn.
Path of light for his ancestors in Odisha
In Odisha, the festival of Deepawali is celebrated by remembering the ancestors of a person. Kali Puja is performed on the eve of the festival and family members burn jute sticks and chant the mantra (“O ancestors, come to us in this dark evening, we illuminate your path to heaven. Mahaprasad You can attain salvation by attaining. 22 stairs of the Jagannath temple in Puri for the deceased). It is a different experience and definitely one of the biggest; So if you want to do something new this year, you can visit Odisha.
Diwali is the ideal time to see the diversity of the country; It is really tricky to see the difference in the way of celebration. However, the social significance of Deepawali is the same for everyone in that they try to bridge gaps in relationships by forgiving and lending to advance the interest of others. There is a lot more to Deepawali than burning diyas and bursting crackers on Deepawali!
Another very important festival in India – Holi Read all about it
Frequently Asked Questions About Diwali
Q. What is Diwali and why is it celebrated?
A – Diwali is a five-day festival celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world. Diwali, which for some also coincides with the harvest and New Year celebrations, is a festival of new beginnings and the victory of good over evil, and lights on darkness.
Q. What is Diwali in India?
A – Diwali, or Deepawali, is the biggest and most important holiday of the year India. In northern India, they celebrate the story of King Rama’s return to Ayodhya when he defeated Ravana with the light of clay lamps. South India celebrated it as the day when Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura.
Q. What are the 5 days of Diwali?
A – The Diwali festival lasts five days, named after the Hindu calendar:
Day 1. Vasu Baras.
Day 2. Dhan Teras.
Day 3. Kali Chaudas or Chaturdashi.
Day 4. Diwali/ Deepawali or Lakshmi Puja.
Day 5. Govardhan Puja.
Q. How do we celebrate Diwali?
A – It is a festival of lights and Hindus celebrate it with joy. During this festival, people illuminate their homes and shops with diyas (small cup-shaped oil lamps made of cooked clay). They worship Lord Ganesha for welfare and prosperity and worship Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and wisdom.
Q. What do you say during Diwali?
A – A simple ‘happy Diwali’ will do the trick, but other Diwali wishes are yours. You can celebrate the festival to anyone. A traditional Diwali greeting is, ‘Wishing you a happy Diwali that brings happiness, prosperity and happiness to you and your family.
Q. Is Diwali a religious holiday?
A – Diwali is celebrated so widely – it is an important religious festival for Hindus, but is also celebrated among Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists – there is no single origin story.
Q. Which city is famous for Diwali?
A – As one of the holy cities of India, Ayodhya, which is particularly famous for its association with the Ramayana, is known for ringing with utmost grandeur at the Diwali festival.
Q. Do Sikhs celebrate Diwali?
A – For Sikhs, Diwali is particularly important as it commemorates the release of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind, and 52 other princes from prison in 1619 with him. The Sikhs celebrated the return of Guru Hargobind to the light of the Golden Temple and this tradition continues today.
Q. What is the story behind Diwali?
A – One of the main stories in Hindu mythology, on the day of Diwali, Lord Rama, his wife Sita Devi and brother Lakshman return to their homeland after 14 years of exile. The villagers lit a path for Rama, who defeated the demon king Ravana. When he killed the demon, Lord Krishna declared him a day of celebration.
Q. What is Hari Diwali?
A – This Green Diwali is a way of celebrating the environment with minimal results. By bursting loud crackers, pollution in the country rises to dangerous levels causing inconvenience to elderly people, children and pets.
Q. Why is short Diwali celebrated?
A – Derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Deepavali’, which means a line of lights, Diwali has been celebrated since ancient times. Diwali is celebrated 20 days after Lord Rama killed Ravana (Dussehra) and rescued Sita from captivity in Lanka. The festival marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.
Q. Is Diwali a Hindu New Year?
A – Diwali is celebrated as the New Year day in the Hindu calendar, among Hindus in India and other parts of the world. Many traditions and customs are followed to celebrate the Hindu New Year.
Important Links
