Indian Diwali Festival or Deepavali Festival is one of the most grossly celebrated festivals in India. The festival, full of joy, love, family, and devotion, has been celebrating each second of its time traditionally in the lives of people. The significance of Diwali can be gauged by looking at it as a culture that has profound importance in Hindu mythology, as it signifies victory over evil and light over darkness. Let’s take a simple glance at what happens during Diwali, the traditions followed, the excitement of children, the rituals of Lakshmi Puja, and how families prepare to welcome prosperity and happiness.

1. The Story Behind Diwali: Lord Ram’s Return

Diwali is the festival celebrated for the return of Lord Ram to his kingdom Ayodhya after he spent 14 years in exile. According to the Ramayana, after killing demon king Ravana, Lord Ram, along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, returned home. The Ayodhya citizens lit lamps called diyas in celebration of the return of the good king, their king, welcoming him light and happiness all over. That is why Diwali is called the festival of lights, signifying the triumph of good over evil and the spread of joy all over.

2. The Five Days of Diwali

Diwali is not one single day celebration but is done over five days, each with significance.

Day 1 – Dhanteras: The people clean their homes and make purchases of new utensils or gold to bring prosperity.

Day 2 – Chhoti Diwali: Homes are decorated with lamps and rangoli, which is beautiful patterns drawn on the floor with colored powders.

Day 3 – Diwali: Everyone does their Lakshmi Puja on this day as a devotion to Goddess Lakshmi, who is known to be the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Homes adorn a light with lamps and candles, and fireworks fill the sky.

Day 4 – Govardhan Puja: Celebrations for Lord Krishna’s victory.

Day 5 – Bhai Dooj: Brothers and sisters celebrate the bond between two brothers and sisters, with gifts and blessings exchanged.

3. Preparations for Diwali: Cleaning and Decorating Homes

Weeks before Diwali, families clean and decorate their homes. Cleaning is considered important to welcome the God Lakshmi to their home. People believe that Goddess Lakshmi visits only clean and beautifully decorated houses. After cleaning, houses are decorated with bright decorations like colorful lights, candles, and diyas in every corner of the house. Rangoli is made at the entrance to welcome guests and positive energy. Apart from these general festive decorations, some homes also hang very beautiful torans (garlands) of flowers or leaves over the doors.

4. Children’s Thrill: Firecrackers and Enjoyment

Children wait eagerly for Diwali as it is the time they can enjoy bursting firecrackers and lighting up sparklers along with friends and family. Parents supervise little ones so they won’t get hurt, but watching all those colorful fireworks in the sky is fun related to kids.

Besides fireworks, this festival gives children something to look forward to: new clothes and gifts. It is during this festival that sweets and gifts are usually exchanged among households. Sweets and gifts refer to the distinct presents children get from elders, and so they look forward to this.

5. What to Wear on Diwali: Traditional Indian Outfits

Diwali is the festival when people like to drape themselves in attires of long-sent Indian dresses. Men adorn a kurta-pajama or sherwani, while the ladies wear beautiful sarees or lehenga cholis. Bright and vibrant colors like red, yellow, and green are favourite choices during Diwali. New clothes, particularly, are worn during the festival, believed to be auspicious as they mark the beginning of a fresh and prosperous year.

6. Lakshmi Puja: Goddess of Wealth Worship

Perhaps, the most important ritual that is performed during Diwali is Lakshmi Puja. Evening hours approach and diyas are already alight. The house is decorated, and the family sits together for evening worship in the performance of the Lakshmi Puja. An idol or picture of Goddess Lakshmi stands in the center, while Lord Ganesha, remover of obstacles, sits on either side. The family prays, begging for prosperity, well-being, and joy in the next year.

They usually give flowers, candies, and whatever other things one can find as an oblation to the deities. Puja time is the time of reflection, inner gratitude, and proximity with one’s family. Post puja, people sit together and enjoy a feast of yummy food.

7. Diwali Sweets and Food

No festival is complete without feasting. For Diwali, there are traditional Indian sweets and snacks, as well as special dishes that families make. Popular Diwali sweets include laddoos, barfis, jalebis, and gulab jamuns. During Diwali time, savory snacks like samosas and chakli are also prepared. Families sit together and share this food with neighbors and offer it to guests as part of the celebrations.

8. Lights of Cities: Diwali

Festival of Light On the festival of Diwali, the cities of India are beautifully enlightened. Every street, market, and home reverberate with twinkling lights, giving it the appearance of a fairyland of glow and glee. In Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur, one can see such tremendous displays of lights and huge firework shows. Needless to say, it’s a time when community-based celebrations take place and there’s festivity everywhere.

Message for Diwali:

One Unity-Thought and Oneness of the Human Heart.
Diwali is not the festival of lights and food only but the festival of love shared among family and friends. It is the time when people forget all the past fights and start life again from scratch. Maybe because of family ties at home or distance keeping them apart and reminding them from there, Diwali enables each one to catch their loved ones in their arms and cherish the blessings in life.

Conclusion: The Spirit of Diwali

Diwali, essentially, happens to be a festive season for life, light, and love. The festival teaches us that just good deeds are in importance, unity, and strength in the bond of the family. All of us share the momentary joy with the lights in diyas, the prayers in the gods, and bonding with the loved ones on this festival day of Diwali.

HAPPY DIWALI and may this Diwali bring you and your family happiness, prosperity, and peace.

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