Festivals in India- Diwali

Diwali is also spelled as deepawali. This is the popular most Hindu festivals.

The bedrock of mythological and historical tales makes great legends like all other festivals.

The legends narrate about the prime devotee, Lord Hanuman and about the great God hero Rama of the epic, Ramayana.

Diwali is celebrated as Lord Rama killed Ravana the demon king. This day was commemorated as an event and named as Diwali.

Slaying of Ravana owing to the abduction of goddess Sita, wife of Lord Rama was celebrated as a mark of victory over evil and there was an expectation of bright light after darkness.

Diwali is a Hindu festival celebrated in the Karthik month on the new moon day after Dussehra. Diwali is a festival that also is dedicated to Ganesha for wisdom and prosperity as well to the wealth goddess, Lakshmi.

People get enveloped and enrolled into the tailspin of planning as well as shopping before Diwali. They clean; wash and as well whitewash their shops and homes.

The women also decorate their houses and door steps with rangolis using color powders. Two days prior to Diwali is Dhan Teras which meant wealth and the teras signifies the 13th day after the full moon.

Dhan Teras is done so that Goddess Lakshmi pays visit to the house everyday of the year. People hold Lakshmi Puja at their working places as well as homes as this day is considered to be significant.

Traditionally, it is marked as a new financial year. Business deals are done and finalized and the business houses offer Diwali gifts and bonuses to their employees.

During Diwali people exchange gifts and sweets. The houses are decorated with earthen lamps and the entire house is decorated, especially the Puja room.

The markets are piled with goodies and the shopkeepers also try to brisk their sales by offering mega discounts in the aim of alluring the customers.

Children keep looking forward to Diwali as they can enjoy to their best with new clothes, eatables and firecrackers. The families also throng to the markets as on Dhan Teras buying utensils is considered auspicious.

The excitement of the celebration reaches high pitch and the culinary acts also turn to be an elaborate feast. Regardless of the status, all the Hindus celebrate this festival.

All the houses and lanes glitter and the sky look bright owing to the bursting crackers and colored lights. Diwali is an opportunity to forget the past misgivings and to become friends. This is easily done by giving sweets and wishing each other.