Diwali is a festival of light and is celebrated for five days, marking the start of Hindu New Year. The festivals honor the triumphant of good over evil and brightness over darkness. It falls each year in the month of either October or November and also denotes start of winter season. The festival is actually celebrated in the honor of Lord Rama and his wife Sita who returned to their kingdom, Ayodhya after defeating Kind Ravana after rescuing his wife Sita.
When the Diwali Celebrated?
Depending on the cycle of the moon, the festival is celebrated in the month of October or November. This year the festival starts with Dhanteras on November 9th in India and the main festivities will take place on the third day i.e. 11 November’2015 in India. Followed by the fourth day, it is then celebrated as the New Year’s Day every year.
The market here remains inundated with sweet merchants and cracker shops that can be easily found in and around every city in India. After four days, the fifth day is the day for brothers and sister called “Bhai Dooj” when brothers and sisters perform rituals and share food and sweets to honor the strong bond of affection and care between them.
Where is the festival celebrated?
Across the country of India, Diwali is widely celebrated with all pomp of show. Here main festival that is celebrated her Onam.
How is Diwali Celebrated?
On the onset of this festival people indulge in to various activities as in sweet making, diya making, rangoli designing, chandelier crafting and others to beautify the entire look of their house. One of the most important tasks that is performed on this day is house cleaning that commencing months ago in almost every house of India, followed by painting and house decoration.
On the final day of Diwali, the festival is celebrated by lightning clay lamps and candles, worshipping Lord Ganesh and Goddess Parvati. Further new clothes are bought , some people also involve in gamble which is just for fun and give gifts to each other and greet with sweets and warmth.
What rituals are performed during Diwali?
Most of the ritual on Diwali varies as per the region. India is a land of diversity and has people of different religion staying here together so the way the prayers are offered and festival is celebrated may differ from North India to South India and from East India to West India.
It is said that Goddess Lakshmi visits to every house during this season, bringing prosperity and fortune. It is a belief that she visits the cleanest house first and therefore people ensure that their houses are spotless and brighten them up with lights and beautiful rangolis.
What to expect during Diwali?
While celebrating Diwali cracker work makes the atmosphere around very warm and noisy. So along with warmth and happiness you can also expect noise of crackers and fireworks going off. The air gets filled with smoke and can add difficulty in smoking. So be cautious and avoid going out if you are suffering from any breathing problem.
Safety Information
Crackers burnt nowadays can be harmful to your ears so use ear plugs during Diwali as ears are highly sensitive body organ. Some crackers are extremely loud and sound more like explosion so be wary and make proper arrangements before-hand.
