Diwali is the most popular festival of India.
The glittering festival is celebrated wit h extreme euphoria all over the country. To mark the 'Festival of Lights' people decorate houses with traditional earthen diyas and candles. Dazzling fireworks are very much part of the festival just as the mouth watering sweets. People exchange greetings and Diwali Gifts with loved ones.
The Sanskrit word Deepavali means an array of lights that stands for victory of brightness over darkness.
The festival marks the victory of good over evil, and uplifting of spiritual darkness. Symbolically it marks the homecoming of goodwill and faith after an absence, as suggested by the story of Ramayana.
Return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya : Diwali also celebrates the return of Lord Ram, with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman to Ayodhya after a 14 year exile.
The Killing of Narakasura: Celebrated as Naraka Chaturdasi, two days before Diwali day, it commemorates the killing of Narakasura, an evil demon who created havoc, by Lord Krishna's wife Satyabhama.
Krishna defeating Indra: Govardhan Puja is celebrated the day after Diwali. It is the day Lord Krishna defeated Indra, the deity of thunder and rain. |
