Diwali is the biggest festival in India, and it is known as the festival of lights. It is also known as Deepawali. It got its name from deep which means clay lamps and avail which means row.
During this festival, Indians illuminate their courtyards with rows of clay lamps to symbolize the light in their soul which protects them from spiritual darkness.
Diwali is a festival of Hindus, but over the centuries it has now become a national festival.
Interpretation of Diwali by Hindus:
In north India, Diwali is celebrated in memory of King Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, the demon king.
In south India, this festival is celebrated as the day when Lord Krishna defeated Narakasura.
In the western region of India, this festival is celebrated as the day when Lord Vishnu who is one of the prime Gods of Hindus and also known as the Preserver, sent King Bali who was a demon to rule the world of demons or the nether world.
Celebrations
- Diwali is almost a week-long festival the preparations go on for a much longer time.
- This day is celebrated as the victory and reinstatement of Rama the King in his Kingdom of Ayodhya. Goddess Laxmi bestowing wealth is the presiding deity of the festival.
- Many days before the Diwali, people start cleaning their houses and decorating them. They buy new clothes for the entire family and prepare various traditional dishes.
- On the Diwali day, everyone wakes up and bathes before sunrise among lights and firecrackers. The breakfast has all the sweets and savories prepared days earlier. Children and women draw rangoli outside their houses.
- In the evening everyone dresses up in his or her best clothes and lights many lamps outside his or her houses, inviting goddess Laxmi. They come together to pray to the goddess for prosperity.
- Children look forward to this evening for all the fire crackers that they get to burst. People visit each other and share sweets.
- A day later is the ritual of Bhai dooj which is a special day for brothers and sisters to exchange presents and sweets.
In India, people make plans to visit each other in Diwali many months in advance to be able to celebrate this festival with their loved ones
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