Diwali is regarded as one of the most important festival of the Hindu
calendar. It is celebrated across the nation with great pomp and
excitement. The festival is mainly associated with lights as it is
called the festival of light. On the day of the festival diyas (small
clay lamps) are lit in everybody's home irrespective of their social
status. The name Diwali signifies 'rows of lighted lamps'. Diwali is a
five-day festival, beginning on the 15th day of the Hindu calendar month
of Kartika (Ashwin). By the Gregorian calendar, Diwali falls in October
or November. Diwali marks the beginning of the Hindu and Gujarati New
Year and is celebrated with the lighting of lamps and candles, and lots
of fireworks. People decorate their home with beautiful diyas and making
rangoli pattern in the courtyard and in front of the gate. They put
flowers and mango leaves on their doors and windows. Diyas and candles
are placed on rooftops, rooms, and kitchen and even in the bathrooms. On
this day, people worship Lord Ganesha, the foremost of all Hindu Gods
and Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. It is time to
exchange gifts and sweets with friends, relatives and neighbors.
Due to India's varied cultural diversity there are many manifestations
of the Diwali festival. The festival begins with Dhanteras, a day set
aside to worship the goddess of prosperity, Goddess Lakshmi. On this
day, homes are cleaned and paintings are done. There are various legends
associated with the celebration of Diwali. But people mostly associate
the celebration with the legend of Lord Ram returning to his kingdom of
Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and defeating Ravana, the demon
king. In Bengal, the celebration is marked with the worship of Goddess
Kali. People celebrate Kali puja with great fervor and enthusiasm. Joy
and festivity reins every corner of the nation during the Diwali season.
Diwali festival is the one Hindu festival that unites the whole of
India. The exchange of sweets and the explosion of fireworks customarily
accompany the celebration of the festival. Diwali is an occasion for
cheerfulness and togetherness. This is that time of the year when people
of all age and all class take part in its celebration.
