Diwali popularly known as the "festival of lights", is an important festival of Hindus, celebrated for different reasons, occurring between mid-October and mid-November. It marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year according to the Lunar Calendar. Diwali means the 'Row of Lights'.
Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together. It is a festival of lights symbolizing the victory of 'Goodness over Evil'and 'Light over Darkness'. This festival memorializes Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile.
Diwali is celebrated with great love and enthusiasm all over India. The planning and preparations for this festival starts much earlier, especially for this event people clean, whitewash their house. People also go for new interiors done in their houses with new curtains, drapes and lamps. Diwali is a 5 day festival as Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Badi Diwali, Padwa and Bhaiduj.
During Diwali people pray to Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth, light, prosperity and wisdom, but also to Ganesha, the 'Remover of Obstacles' and the 'Lord of Beginnings'. The day of Diwali begins with people wearing new attires, exchanging gifts, bursting firecrackers, lighting fireworks, colorful sparklers and having festive meals.
Diwali is synonymous with 'mithai' or sweets. It is also the time for family reunions, lighted diyas, colourful rangoli, vibrant apparels, and mouth-watering sweets all symbolic of the happy occasion. It would not be wrong if said that the trend of preparing sweet dishes is somewhere getting diminished or getting overlapped by the trend of exchanging gift packages.
On this day people forgive the wrongs done by others. This festival brings unity. May this Diwali bring happiness and prosperity in your lives. Have a happy and safe Diwali.