Diwali: Festival of Lights
Diwali festival in India is definitely the biggest and greatest and brightest among the Hindu festivals. It is considered the festival of lights which is celebrated for four days, which really lights up the country with its intense brightness of light, and glares all with its delight. Each of the four days during the Diwali festival is divided by various tradition, but what stays true and persistent is the celebration of life, its enjoyment and goodness.
In the past, the emergence of Diwali can be discovered back to prehistoric India, when it was almost certainly a significant harvest festival. Nevertheless, there are different traditional stories relating to the birth of Diwali. Others believe it to be the marriage celebration of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. During the day of celebration, the people show reverence and adoration to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom.
Diwali also serves as a memorial to the come back of Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshman from his fourteen year long deportation and defeating the demon-king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, lightened up the kingdom with oil lamps and cracker explosions as a celebration of their King’s come back.
S. Das