diWali – tHe fEsTivaL eVerY iNdiaN loNgS For

Diwali, also known as Deepavali is the festival of lights. This is the biggest and most popular festival of Hindus, Jains and Sikhs. This festival is celebrated as a mark of Lord Rama’s victory over the wicked king Ravana. Ravana with ten heads and ten hands kidnapped Sita, the wife of Rama. After a great battle Rama killed Ravana and recovered his wife. It was a new moon day when Rama returned along with Sita to his kingdom Ayodhya. Hence the people brightened the entire city with oil lamps to welcome Rama and Sita and burst crackers to celebrate the death of the wicked king Ravana.

On other side, Deepavali is also celebrated as a mark of Lord Krishna’s victory over Narakasura. The gods requested Lord Krishna to free them from Narakasura. Krishna battles with Narakasura and kills the demon, rescued 16,000 women and recovered the earnings.

These are the two stories of two Lords marking the victory of Good over Evil to celebrate this traditional festival of lights, Deepavali. The festival is celebrated by displaying electric lights in cities. Pujas are performed welcoming the Goddess Lakshmi into the house. Colourful Rangolis are drawn on the floors outside the houses. People wear new clothes and distribute the sweets, dry fruits and also the gifts to their near and dear. Traditional oil lamps called diyas are lit and placed in rows outside houses at the entrances and windows. Children and elders enjoy by bursting the fireworks. This is the most enjoyable festival especially for children.