Festival Of Lights

Diwali is usually known as the "festival of lights", for the common practice is to light small oil lamps (called diyas) and place them around the house, in courtyards, grounds, verandahs, on the walls built around the home and also on the roof tops.

Diwali is also known as festival of lights. Diwali, also called Deepavali, is a major Indian festival that is very significant in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. Known as the "Festival of Lights," it symbolises the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for humankind. Celebrations focus on lights and lamps, particularly traditional dipa or deeya (earthen lamp, as illustrated). Fireworks are associated with the festival. Diwali is a colloquial name used in North India, while the festival is formally called Deepavali in South India.

Diwali is celebrated for five consecutive days at the end of Hindu month of Ashwayuja. It usually occurs in October/November, and is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited festivals in India. Diwali comes exactly twenty days after Dussehra. Hindus and Sikhs alike regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family and social relationships. For Hindus it is one of the most important festivals, and beginning of the year in some Hindu calendars. There are several beliefs regarding the origin of the holiday. The most repeated version is that Hindus celebrate Diwali to mark the time when Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana. Some also view it as the day Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura or in honor of the day Bali went to rule the nether-world, obeying the order of Vishnu. It is also a significant festival for the Sikh faith. In India, Diwali is now considered to be more of a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith.

Diwali is a festival where people from all age groups play a part. Irrespective of their religious and economic background, the festival is celebrated throughout the country to ward off the darkness and welcome light into life, as light is always associated with hope for the future. They give expression to their happiness by lighting earthen 'diyas' (lamps), decorating the houses, bursting firecrackers and inviting near and dear ones to their households for partaking in a sumptuous feast. Because of the Diwali Diyas , lights, fireworks, and sweets involved, it's a great favorite with children.

Now a day's electric lights and candles have been a good replacement for traditional Diyas. They are presented in eye-catching designs and patterns.