DIWALI : THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
DIWALI , THE VIBRANT AND JOYUS HINDU FESTIVAL, ILLUMINATES HOMES, HEART, AND COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE. CELEBRATED OVER FIVE DAYS , DIWALI HONORS THE TRIUMPH OF LIGHT OVER IGNORANCE
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the Hindu festival of lights, with variations celebrated in other Indian religions. It symbolises the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance”.It is a Festival of Lights and Hindus celebrate it with joy. During this festival, people light up their houses and shops with small cup-shaped oil lamp made of baked clay. They worship the Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi for welfare and prosperity marks the beginning of a NEW YEAR
Diwali, one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, lasting for five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina to the second day of the light half of the lunar month Karttika. (The corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar usually fall in late October and November.) The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness.
Observances of Diwali differ depending on region and tradition. Among Hindus the most widespread custom is the lighting of diyas (small earthenware lamps filled with oil) on the night of the new moon to invite the presence of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. In Bengal the goddess Kali is worshipped. In North India the festival also celebrates the royal homecoming of Rama (along with Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman) to the city of Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, the 10-headed king of the demons, thus connecting the festival with the holiday of Dussehra. In South India the festival marks Krishna’s defeat of the demon Narakasura. Some celebrate Diwali as a commemoration of the marriage of Lakshmi and Vishnu, while others observe it as the birthday of Lakshmi.
During the festival, Diya’s are lit and placed in rows along the parapets of temples and houses and set adrift on rivers and streams. Homes are decorated, and floors inside and out are covered with Rangolis, consisting of elaborate designs made of coloured rice, sand, or flower petals. The doors and windows of houses are kept open in the hope that Lakshmi will find her way inside and bless the residents with wealth and success.
Diwali marks Lord Rama’s return to Ajodhya with Maa Sita and Lord Lakshman after spending 14 years in exile and defeating the King of Lanka, RAVEN. Hindus celebrate Diwali for various reasons. The festival celebrates the country’s cultural heritage and is observed all over the country.12 DIWALI2024Diwali was celebrated as a signifier of triumph of good over evil after Krishna’s Victory over Narakasura. The day before Diwali is remembered as Naraka Chaturdashi, the day on which Narakasura was killed by Krishna.
The festival gets its name from the row (avail) of clay lamps (deep) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual The diyas are lighted in every room of the home all night long so that the dark cannot enter. Diyas are placed in all the house’s windows to welcome the Godess Lakshmi. The night ends with huge feasts and fireworks. That is why, Diwali is called “the festival of light”.
