DIWALI

Deepavali or Diwali is the Festival of Lights and is celebrated with fervor and gaiety. DEEPAVALI or Diwali means "a row of lights". The festival is celebrated by young and old, rich and poor, all alike throughout the country to ward off the darkness and welcome the lights into their lives. This festival symbolizes the unity in diversity as different states celebrates in its own special ways.

Decoration with lights

Diwali is the festival of Laxmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi brings peace and prosperity to all. Diwali is celebrated all over India. The preparations for the festival begins well in advance. People start decorating their homes, preparing sweets and snacks and buy new clothes & jewelry all this to welcome the Goddess into their homes who comes to bless all.

The festival of Diwali is celebrated for a period of 5 days the last day being the 15th day of Ashwin -(a month in Hindu calendar) which comes during the month of October and November.

Laxmi - Goddess of Wealth and prosperity

People light up their homes with clay oil lamps, candles and colorful lights and Rangolis. This new moon night or Amavasya as it is called is thus turned into a bright and colorful night.

The celebration of Diwali can be viewed in all its splendor at night when all the homes are lit up. Diwali is incomplete without its fireworks. People especially children burst crackers of all variety - Sparkles, Flower Pots, Rockets, from the fancy ones to the loud noise making Bombs. (celebration similar to Guy Fawkes day)

This festive occasion also marks the beginning of the Hindu new year.

Samayi - Traditional strand of lights.