Festivals: Happy Diwali !!!

Thought of starting a blog on various festivals of India, which fortunately have no end, and what better to start with a post on the festival which is just round the corner, our most favourite, Deepavali.

Deepavali, as we know it, is called the ‘festival of lights’ (deep = light and avali = row). There is lots of lightning all around us on this day and it’s a sin not to brighten up your house. In north India, we celebrate this festival by doing Lord Ganesh and Laxmi pooja, illuminating our houses & surroundings and bursting crackers. People in other parts of India have different ways to celebrate the festival. Being filled with fun & frolic, these acts are all considered auspicious and Diwali, without these, loses its meaning.

Everybody knows the origin of this festival. But just to refresh, the origin dates back to the time of Rama-raj when Lord Rama came back to Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Laxman after winning over demon-king Ravan & finishing his 14 years of vanavas or exile. So, the citizens of Ayodhya lit earthen diyas and celebrated his homecoming by bursting crackers and distributing sweets.

Apart from the above, there are many legends for diwali and different customs in India celebrate this festival for different reasons. Isn’t it amazing that we all celebrate one festival for different reasons!!!

Above all, like most other hindu festivals, diwali also signifies the triumph of good over evil. It gives us a hope that in the present world too, ultimately truth, honesty and positivity will survive and there will be no place for evil and negative thoughts.

Though Diwali brings with itself a lot of joy but for some people, it becomes a cause of sadness as many get hurt while bursting crackers. Sometimes, the injuries are very serious and in extreme cases, can result in deaths too. One of my friends burnt his hand last Diwali while lighting an anaar and was in severe pain for many months. What was worse that it affected not only his day-to-day routine but also his work life as he was not able to report to work for quite some time. So, needless to say, its very important to be safe than sorry in Diwali.

This year, diwali is falling on 3rd of November, sunday. To ek chutti to gayi but it is nothing in comparison to the joy and happiness which this festival will bring with itself. So friends, wish you all a very happy Diwali with lots of celebrations and please be safe too.