Different cultures around the world celebrate in their own unique ways. These festivals are a display of magnificence and deep-rooted traditions that give people a sense of meaning. One such mega celebration is that of Diwali.
Let’s talk about one of the biggest celebrations in the world: Diwali !
What is Diwali?
Diwali or Dipawali is India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. People also call it the festival of light. Deepa means clay lamps and avali means row. A row of clay lamps. Indians light clay lamps outside their homes to ascertain and symbolize the protection against spiritual darkness.
The light from the clay lamps also signifies the inner light of a person. Hindus as well as other communities celebrate Diwali. They have been doing this for hundreds of years. It is now a national holiday in India.
However, this celebration carries interesting stories. In northern India, King Rama defeated Ravana by lighting rows of clay lamps on this day. In southern India, it is celebrated as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. Whereas in western India, Diwali is celebrated as the day Lord Vishnu sent the demon King Bali to rule the nether world. Such interesting tales!
How is Diwali celebrated?
Indians celebrate Diwali over the course of five days. On the first day, people clean their homes and shop for gold or kitchen utensils to help bring good fortune. Day two begins with decorations with clay lamps and rangoli, which is a design made of colorful powders on the floor. Day three is the main day. First, Indians pray to the Goddess Lakshmi. Then, they celebrate with feasts and fireworks. Day four brings tonnes of gifts from family and friends as they visit each other. On day 5, brothers visit their married sisters and enjoy a great meal.
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When is Diwali celebrated?
The festival is usually sometime between October and November. Although there is no fixed date, it happens to fall on 14th November this year (2020). Indians celebrate Diwali with full zeal and zest. So, make sure to visit India at the time of this festival. It decorated beautifully, and there is an air of excitement in the country. And don’t forget to take some amazing photos along the way!
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