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DIWALI
"Diwali" or "Deepavali" is perhaps the most popular of all Hindu
festivals. It is also known as the Festival of Lights, it is
dedicated to the Goddess Kali in Bengal and to Lakshmi, the Goddess
of Wealth, in the rest of India. It symbolises the victory of good
over evil, and lamps ( earthern diyas) are lit as a sign of
celebration and hope for mankind. In almost all of India and world
where ever it is celebrated the celebrations focus on lights and
lamps, and also use for colorful fireworks .
What is Deepavali or Diwali
 As the name of
this festival suggests 'Deepavali', the meaning of this festival
lies in its name only. The festival marks the victory of good over
evil. The Sanskrit word Deepavali means display or cluster of lights
that stands for victory of brightness over darkness. Good over Evil.
As the knowledge of Sanskrit diminished with the passage of time,
the name was popularly modified to Diwali in it's present form.
Diwali is celebrated for five consecutive days in the Hindu month of
Ashvin or Ashwayuja It usually occurs or falls in October/November,
and is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited hindu festivals
of India. It's significance is equal for Hindus, Jains and Sikhs
alike as every one celebrate it with full fervour. Diwali falls on 'Amavasyaa'
when there is no moon rise in the night and there is darkness all
around. Light being the symbol of hope and positve vibes and things,
symbolizes the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.
Significance of 'Diwali'
On the day of
Diwali, usually most of the people wear new clothes, share sweets (mithai)
and light firecrackers. Business community in Northern parts of
India usually start their financial new year on Diwali and new
account books are opened on this day.This festival is usually
celebrated in the months of October or November every year.
According to the legend 'Diwali' is celebrated for the return of
Lord Rama , The King of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother
Lakshman to Ayodhya from his 14 year old exile or Vanvaas and after
a battle in which he killed the demon king Ravana. Legend says that
the people
 lit oil
lamps along the way to light their path in the darkness. In Northern
parts of India, the festival is held on the final day of the 'Vikram
Calender'. The following day marks the beginning of the North Indian
New Year which is called 'Annakut'.
'Diwali' is not
only celebrated as a festival of celebrations of Lights, fire work
and crackers, cleanliness, social gatherings to exchange greetings
and sharing sweets (mithai) with our loved ones but it is also
celebrated as a festival which signifies spiritualism and religious
activities such as worship of Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth),
worship of Lord Ganesha, worship of Goddess Kali, worship of Lord
Chitragupta and worship of Govardhan Parvat (mountain). The Diwali
festival is all about shopping, wearing new clothes, happiness all
around and togetherness and almost one week of festivity all around.
Diwali is celebrated over five days in most of the Northern parts of
India. All the days except Diwali are named using the designation in
the Indian calendar. A lunar half-month is 15 days. Diwali as a
new-moon day, marking the last day of a 15-day period.
Dhan-trayodashi or Dhan teras: Dhan
means "wealth" and Trayodashi means "13th day". Thus, as the name
signifies this day falls on the 13th day of the first half of the
lunar month. It is considered to be an auspicious day for shopping.
Naraka Chaturdasi: Narak means 'of
a new era of Light and Knowledge'. Chaturdasi implies fourteenth
day. It is also considered as Choti Diwali .
Diwali:
the actual day of Diwali or Badi Diwali, is celebrated on the
third day of the festival, when the moon completely wanes and total
darkness sets in the night sky.
Varsha-pratipada or Padwa:
Beginning of the New Year (Kartikadi Vikram). Pratipada means the
first.
Bhayiduj (also Bhayyaduj): On this
day, brothers and sisters meet to express their love and affection
for each other. This is celebrated to honor the relationship between
brother and sister.
Diwali is an annual
stimulant and it gives the necessary boost to the Indian economy.
Indians purchase gold in the form of ornaments etc, gifts,
decorative items, crackers and other household appliances during
this festival. Manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers offer huge
discounts on their products during the Diwali season to attract
customers, which helps the economy greatly and also helps the poor
and needy. This festival also brings tourists to the country.
To add to the festivities of Diwali in small towns and rural parts
of India fairs or Melas as these are called are held all over . In
these melas farmers buy and sell produce. Women folk dress
attractively during the festival. All over women could be seen
wearing colorful and beautiful clothes, new jewelry .
Many interesting and interesting activities take place at these
melas. Mostly these activities include performance from snake
charmers (saperas), jugglers, acrobats , fortune tellers or
jyotishis . Food stalls are set up all over the melas, which offere
a wide variety of spicy foods and sweets and also other varieties of
eatables. These fairs also offer a wide variety of rides including
Ferris wheels , rides on animals like horses, camels and elephants.
Most of these Fairs also have puppet shows as a good attraction.
These activities go on through out the day.
All in all this festival acts as a very good catalyst in bringing
the people of India together and enjoying the festivities.
Diwali Greetings,
Deepavali,
Diwali Greeting Cards,
Diwali Ecards,
Deepavali Greetings,
Deepavali Celebrations
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