Diwali

Everyone knows about Diwali or Deepavali—a festival that is celebrated by Hindus in India. It is one of India’s biggest festivals. Diwali means –rows of lighted earthen lamps. It is celebrated in the Hindu month of Kartika, which falls sometime during October or November. On this day, people celebrated Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, by lighting lamps filled with ghee. That night, inspite of it being the dark New moon night, was completely illuminated because of the thousands of lamps that were lit, to welcome the Lord.This removal of darkness with light is symbolic of eliminating the darkness of ignorance and spreading the light of knowledge all around. While Diwali, on one hand, is a festival that enlightens us, at the same time, it is a festival that brings us joy and wealth, which is why people pray to Goddess Laxmi too, on this day. This is why; Diwali is also called the Festival of Lights.

Diwali brings with it other festivals too, like Deepdaan, Dhanteras, Govardhan pooja, Bhai Dooj etc.It is actually a week long festivity-each festival having its own significance.

Diwali as a festival is very important from the cultural, social, religious and economic point of view.Today; this festival has removed all religious discrimination among people and people of all faiths celebrate this festival in their own way. This festival brings together people from different culture, people take out time to meet each other, those who may not pray the whole year, make it a point to pray on this day and there is an economic boom on these days since the poorest of poor also save the whole year to celebrate Diwali . All over the world, although the festivals that are similar to Diwali are called by different names, but in India, especially, with the Hindus, this festival of Diwali is very important.

Diwali And Laxmi Pooja

This day is very auspicious to obtain the grace of Goddess Laxmi- the Goddess of wealth. For happiness and wealth in the house and forever lasting prosperity, one should fast the whole day and after the sun sets, should pray to Goddess Laxmi in the”Sthir Lagan”of “Pradosh Kaal”.The correct time for the pooja should be found out according to the place one is worshipping in. The whole house should be cleaned to welcome the Goddess.