हमारे हिंदी पृष्ठ के सभी साथियों को दिवाली की हार्दिक शुभकामनाये!  Happy Diwali to our Hindi Page Community! 🙂  Yes, the biggest festival of India has already started with today. Let me show you what this festival is all about and how it is celebrated.

Deepavali (from Sanskrit words, “Deep” for lamp and “Aavali” for row) or Diwali (contraction of Deepavali) is the biggest festival of India and the most important festival for Hindus. It is also called festival of lights. Usually, it is celebrated between mid- October and mid-November. Diwali festival span for 5 days.
From Hindu mythology, Diwali marks the return of King Rama after a banishment of 14 years and his victory over King Ravana. People celebrated his return by lightening rows of “Diya” or “Deepa“, oil lamps. Diwali symbolize the triumph of good over evil.

Preparation of Diwali festival includes new white wash for homes, home decorations and invitation for neighbors. On the first day of festival, there is traditional for shopping for home & family members. Traditional sweets, “Mithai”  are also prepared for the festival. Greeting and traditional sweets and gifts are sent to the relatives.

Even weeks before, the whole atmosphere in families turn jubilant and colorful. Diwali festival is eagerly awaited by Hindus and Indians irrespective of their religion. On the day of Diwali, people lite the traditional oil lamps which are placed in house’s veranda and periphery. Homes are also decorated with colorful electric lamps and candles.

In evening, entire family sit together for “Diwali Puja“, a long  prayer for Hindu gods and goddesses. After prayer, a lavish dinner usually take place which is followed by traditional sweets are distributed among family member and neighbors.

The traditional for firework is very popular and after prayer lite up the whole sky with wonderful colors. Diwali is usually celebrated with entire family and neighbors. This festival shows no bound of region or religion and celebrated all across India with fervor.

This wonderful festival of Diwali brings us a lesson to overcome our ignorance by bringing the light to our inner darkness.