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Diwali

When one thinks about Indian festivals, the festival that instantly comes to mind is DIWALI or DEEPAVALI as called by some.. This Hindu festival brings excitement and joy to the hearts of people even before it arrives. 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 farsans and buy new clothes & jewellery 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 of Hindu calendar) which falls somewhere in the month of October and November.

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

Diwali is a festival of Hindus, but especially of the Businessmen, On this day they do puja of Account books and start writing their new accounts. This is called as "CHOPDA PUJAN" meaning puja of account books.

The celebration of Diwali can be viewed in all its splendour 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.

Legend of Diwali:-
When Lord Ram killed Ravan and returned to Ayodhya along with Laxman, Sita and Hanuman, at that time Diwali was celebrated in Ayodhya for the 1st time. The people of Ayodhya lit up their homes with oil lamps and turned the night into a light festival. From that time onwards Diwali is celebrated to marks the Victory of Lord Ram over the evil Ravan.

Celebrated every year in October-November, Diwali is perhaps the most popular of all Indian festivals. It is a celebration of light, both literally and metaphorically. The origin of this festival can be traced back to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, when Lord Rama returned to his kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.

The whole kingdom was lit up with diyas (earthen lamps) to celebrate his return. To date, on Diwali day, houses all over India glow with the twinkle of innumerable diyas, candles and electric lights. The night is illuminated with the flaming lights of fireworks, creating kaleidoscopic designs against the black canvas of the sky. For Hindu business communities, Diwali marks the beginning of the New Year. The goddess of wealth, Laxmi, is worshipped, and new books of accounts are opened after pooja (worship).

During the Diwali celebration decoration and lighting is done throughout the walled Pink City, with every market competing with the others to pick-up the best decorated market award. Prior to the Diwali night, called the Dhan-teras all the shops remain open the whole night through.There are special prizes for the best decorated individual buildings as well.

Most people prefer walking through the step to enjoy this dazzling extravaganza. And if one has to see, the illuminated city of Jaipur during Diwali, one must have a stay at Nahargarh. The view of illuminated Jaipur City can equalled to a Bride.




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