Diwali is India’s one of the most popular and widely celebrated festival. Diwali which is also known as Divali or Deepavali is entitled as the ‘Festival of Lights’ and is such a festival which is celebrated by people of all religions. Diwali is a 5-day Hindu festival that starts on Dhanteras as the 1st day and ends on the 5th day - Bhaubeej. As per Hindu calendar, the festival starts from Krishna paksha and ends on Shukla paksha while as per the Gregorian calendar, Diwali generally comes in between mid October to mid November. Diwali is not only celebrated in India but also in other countries. In fact, Diwali is an official holiday in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Mauritius, Fiji, Guyana, Suriname, Tobago and Trinidad along with being a national holiday in India. This fact describes the importance and significance of Diwali at international level.

Diwali is a 5 day festival and celebration begins with Dhanteras. On this day, the majority of Indian business groups start their business’s financial year. The 2nd day is called the Naraka Chaturdasi. The 3rd day of Diwali, Amavasya, symbolizes the worship of Goddess Lakshami, the deity of wealth and prosperity. The 4th day is identified as Kartika ShuddaPadyami. The 5th day is Yama Dvitiya. On this day, sisters invite brothers to celebrate the occasion in their homes. Diwali celebration in Maharashtra also comprise of 'Vasu-baras' tradition.

Significance of Diwali

Diwali has a deep significance in India from every religion point of view. Broadly saying, this festival is celebrated as the mark of ‘Triumph of Good over Evil’. Diwali celebration involves lighting of little lamps made of clay and filled with oil and this signifies the Victory of Good over Evil. These lamps are kept by people in their clean homes so as to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi so that she brings prosperity and wealth to one’s home. On the affluent occasion of Diwali, everyone wears new clean clothes and share sweets and snacks with family and friends which is a symbol of love and mutual respect. Crackers are burst since as per legends it is believed that these drive away the bad evil spirits from our lives.

Reason of Celebrating Diwali

The Diwali festival is broadly celebrated as the return of Lord Rama after an exile of 14 years. As per legends, Lord Rama came back victorious after killing the devil Ravana who abducted Lord Rama’s wife, Sita. It is said that when Lord Rama came back to his hometown Ayodhya after the win, people of Ayodhya lighted lamps to welcome Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman.
Jain people celebrate this day as the auspicious day when Lord Mahavir attained Moksha (Nirvana), as per Jainism, mythology.

Tradition on Diwali

Diwali is a five day festival and different traditions are involved in these five days. On Dhanteras new financial year starts for people and new utensils and silver coins are bought by people as a symbol of bringing prosperity to the home. On the 3rd day, Lakshami Pujan is done followed by bursting of crackers along with lighting clay lamps (Diya). New clothes are worn by people and homes are decorated with rangoli and flowers. People provide gifts of sweets and other things to their friends and relatives as a symbol of love and mutual respect.

Information Essential for Tourist

Diwali is a festival that is celebrated in entire India with full rejoice and enthusiasm. But if you wish to enjoy some special traditions then Diwali celebrations in Maharashtra is blissful for eyes and soul. Moreover, you can also visit Amritsar since Diwali celebration is also quite famous there at Golden Temple. But be careful while bursting the crackers.

Way of Celebrating Diwali in Different States of India

There is not much wide difference between the ways of celebrating Diwali in different states of India. The lighting of lamps, cleaning and decoration of homes, bursting of crackers and Lakshami Puja is mostly same in all the areas. But in Maharashtra, Diwali portrays some significant noticeable changes which are quite interesting to enjoy. In an archetypal Marathi family this festival starts from 'Vasu-baras' which falls on 'Ashwin Krishna Dwadashi' date as per Marathi calendar. This celebration is held in respect of cows which are considered mother in Hindu religion. This celebration is followed by the usual traditions like Lakshmi Puja and bursting of crackers.

Amritsar’s Diwali is widely famous in the world. In Orissa, the celebration is done with rows of oil lamps along with adoring the homes with candles. In Bengal Diwali is celebrated as Kali Puja. In some other areas of India, Diwali Melas are also famous.