Diwali is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated all over the World. It is known as the festival of lights, which is celebrated for four days and illuminates the whole nation with the luminosity of lights and lamps that are lit. Each day prior to and after the main Diwali has its own significance and rituals associated with it and are celebrated with great enthusiasm.
Origin of Diwali
The festival of Diwali is also known as the festival of Deepawali. This festival has mythological as well as historical accounts associated with it. The history of Diwali traces back to the ancient time and since than this festival of light is celebrated with great zest. There are also several legends associated with the origin of this festival. Some believe that this auspicious festival is celebrated to mark the marriage of Goddess Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. In the eastern part of the Nation especially in the states of Assam and Bengal, Diwali is dedicated to worshipping Goddess Kali an incarnation of Adi-shakti. In some places Lord Ganesha is worshipped and according Janis, on this day Lord Mahavir has attained Nirvana and thus an auspicious day for them. This festival of lights commemorates the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after spending fourteen years in exile and his victory over Ravana. On this day, the Kingdom of Ayodhya was lighted with lamp in joy to celebrate the return of their King. Each of the four days is celebrated with great gesture and each of these days has a mythological tale associated with its celebration. The first day is known as Narak Chaturdashi, which marks the defeat of demon Narak by Lord Krishna and his wife Styabhama. On the second day Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped and is known as Dhanteras, where people buy gold and silver as well as utensils. The next day is Diwali or Deepawali, the major day in which people light lamps and burst crackers. The last day is known as Bhai Dooj.
Celebration of Diwali
The festival of Diwali, which is known as the festival of lights, fireworks is one of the significant thing that is done. The sky is illuminated with the brilliance of fireworks by bursting crackers. This is a ritual, which marks the attainment of health and wealth from heaven. It also marks the attainment of prosperity and some believe that the sounds of bursting crackers signify the joy and prosperity of people living on earth. It also has a major significance that the fumes of the crackers and lamps kill the insects that are born after the rain. A major ritual that is associated with this festival is gambling. It is a tradition that is followed since ages and also has mythological significance. It is believed that Goddess Parvati along with her husband Lord Shiva played dice and she pronounced that whoever gambled on the day of Diwali will prosper with health, wealth and knowledge all throughout the year. This festival also signifies the victory of good over evil and the lights that are lit in houses all throughout the night, signifies that there is light after darkness and no evil can touch them. This festival is celebrated with grandeur and fervour and on this occasion, people exchange gifts and boxes of sweets to mark the happiness and prosperity. People wear new clothes on this day. This festival is celebrated in a grand manner all over the World, especially in India.
Origin of Diwali
The festival of Diwali is also known as the festival of Deepawali. This festival has mythological as well as historical accounts associated with it. The history of Diwali traces back to the ancient time and since than this festival of light is celebrated with great zest. There are also several legends associated with the origin of this festival. Some believe that this auspicious festival is celebrated to mark the marriage of Goddess Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. In the eastern part of the Nation especially in the states of Assam and Bengal, Diwali is dedicated to worshipping Goddess Kali an incarnation of Adi-shakti. In some places Lord Ganesha is worshipped and according Janis, on this day Lord Mahavir has attained Nirvana and thus an auspicious day for them. This festival of lights commemorates the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after spending fourteen years in exile and his victory over Ravana. On this day, the Kingdom of Ayodhya was lighted with lamp in joy to celebrate the return of their King. Each of the four days is celebrated with great gesture and each of these days has a mythological tale associated with its celebration. The first day is known as Narak Chaturdashi, which marks the defeat of demon Narak by Lord Krishna and his wife Styabhama. On the second day Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped and is known as Dhanteras, where people buy gold and silver as well as utensils. The next day is Diwali or Deepawali, the major day in which people light lamps and burst crackers. The last day is known as Bhai Dooj.
Celebration of Diwali
The festival of Diwali, which is known as the festival of lights, fireworks is one of the significant thing that is done. The sky is illuminated with the brilliance of fireworks by bursting crackers. This is a ritual, which marks the attainment of health and wealth from heaven. It also marks the attainment of prosperity and some believe that the sounds of bursting crackers signify the joy and prosperity of people living on earth. It also has a major significance that the fumes of the crackers and lamps kill the insects that are born after the rain. A major ritual that is associated with this festival is gambling. It is a tradition that is followed since ages and also has mythological significance. It is believed that Goddess Parvati along with her husband Lord Shiva played dice and she pronounced that whoever gambled on the day of Diwali will prosper with health, wealth and knowledge all throughout the year. This festival also signifies the victory of good over evil and the lights that are lit in houses all throughout the night, signifies that there is light after darkness and no evil can touch them. This festival is celebrated with grandeur and fervour and on this occasion, people exchange gifts and boxes of sweets to mark the happiness and prosperity. People wear new clothes on this day. This festival is celebrated in a grand manner all over the World, especially in India.