DIWALI

Diwali, also known as Divali and Deepavali, is the festival of lights and is celebrated with much pomp and fervour in India. The ancient Hindu festival is celebrated in the months of October or November, and this year Diwali will fall on October 27 and 28. The festival celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, hope over despair and knowledge over ignorance.

The festival is celebrated in different ways around India, but usually, people decorate their homes with earthen lamps or diyas, rangolis and burst crackers. Diyas are lit to acknowledge the presence of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Goddess Kali is worshipped in Bengal, and in north India, the festival commemorates the time when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman.

DIWALI IN VARIOUS RELIGIONS

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Diwali is one of those Indian festivals that unify different religions, regions and cultures. The festival finds significance in Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism along with Hinduism. Hindus celebrate Diwali as the homecoming of Lord Rama to his hometown Ayodhya after defeating the Ravana, the Rakshasa King of Lanka after serving a 14 years exile in the forests. Jains celebrate the festival as the day when Mahavira, their last Tirthankara on earth, attained Nirvana or enlightenment. The Buddhists celebrate Diwali as the day when Emperor Ashoka converted himself to Buddhism. The Sikhs celebrate the festival to remember the homecoming of their Guru Har Gobind Ji from the prison of Emperor Jahangir along with numerous Hindu gurus.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF 5 DAYS OF DIWALI

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5 days of Diwali serve different occasions according to Hindu mythology. The first day of Diwali is Dhanteras which indicates the beginning of the new financial year for Hindus. The second day of Diwali is Chhoti Diwali which is celebrated to remember the victory of Lord Krishna over the devil king Naraka. The third day is the main Diwali day which involves worshipping Goddess Lakshmi to rejoice her birth from Samudra Manthan. The fourth day of Diwali is known as Govardhan Puja which is celebrated to venerate the triumph of Lord Vishnu over the demon king Bali as well as the victory of Lord Krishna over God Indra. The fifth and final day of Diwali is known as Bhai Dooj which celebrates the love and bond of brothers and sisters.