The Festival of Lights, Diwali, is a colourful and happy celebration.

Families prepare
their homes and themselves for the special festivities that symbolise the victory of
spiritual goodness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. Firecrackers are set off to drive
away evil, oil lamps are lit, flower garlands are made, candles float in bowls of water
outside homes and sweets are shared as part of the festivities.

Diwali can also represent the awareness of inner light within a person when ignorance
is pushed aside by understanding and enlightenment.

What Do People Do?

Diwali celebrations may last for up to five days. Many people decorate their home and
workplaces with tiny electric lights or small clay oil lamps. Bowls of water with candles and
flowers floating on the surface are also popular decorations.
Many people make a special effort to clean their homes and yards before Diwali. They may
also wash themselves with water and fragrant oils, wear new clothes and give gifts of
sweets to family members, close friends and business associates. Fireworks are set off in
the evening in some areas. Melas (fairs) are held in many towns and villages.
People in different regions in India may celebrate Diwali on various dates. This is because
traditional lunar calendars can be interpreted in different ways. For example, Deepavali in
Tamil Nadu is celebrated in the Tamil month of Aipasi

Diwali which is also known as Deepawali is the most famous festival of the year. Diwali is
the five days festivity period which begins on Dhanteras and ends onBhaiya Dooj. However,
in Maharashtra Diwali festivities begin one day earlier onGovatsa Dwadashi while in Gujarat
Diwali festivities begin two days earlier onAgyaras and culminates on Labh Panchami.

During five days festivity various rituals are followed and with Goddess Lakshmiseveral
other Gods and Goddesses are worshipped. However Goddess Lakshmi is the most
significant deity during Diwali Puja. The new moon day, which is known as Amavasya, is the
most significant day of five days Diwali festivities and known as Lakshmi Puja,Lakshmi-
Ganesh Puja and Diwali Puja.

Diwali Puja is done not only in families but also in offices. Diwali Puja is the significant day
for the most traditional Hindu businessmen. On this day, ink bottle, pens and new account
books are worshipped. Ink bottle and pen, which are called Davat () and Lekhani
( ) respectively, are sanctified by worshipping Goddess Maha Kali on them. New
account books, which are called Bahi-Khate (- ), are sanctified by
worshipping Goddess Saraswati on them.
The most auspicious time to do Diwali Puja is after sunset. The time period after sunset is
known as Pradosh. The day of Diwali Puja is decided when Amavasya Tithi prevails during
Pradosh. Hence no other Diwali Puja Muhurat is as good as Puja Muhurat during Pradosh
even if it is available for one Ghati (approximately 24 minutes).

dpa "light, lamp"[24][25] and vali "series, line, row".[26] Diwali is also known as
dpotsava "festival of lights".

Decoration with lamps

On the eve of Diwali, lamps should be lit in a row both inside and outside the house.
This gives the house a beautiful decorative look and generates enthusiasm and joy.
Earthen lamps lit with oil have a more decorative and soothing effect than a string of
electric bulbs. The word deep actually means a flame of a wick soaked in oil. The
Shrutis say

Meaning : Go from darkness to light.

Those who do not light lamps on these three days remain perpetually in darkness; they
cannot go towards light, that is, spiritual knowledge. Offering lamps attracts Lakshmi.
Each one should celebrate the Religious festival of Diwali with enthusiasm so that Devi
Lakshmi perpetually inhabits the home and he/she is enlightened with spiritual
knowledge. This helps maintain happiness and prosperity in the family.

Diwali Fun Facts!

Diwali is a national holiday in India, Trinidad & Tobago, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka,
Mauritius, Guyana, Surinam, Singapore, Malaysia and Fiji.
Diwali is the beginning of the financial year for Indian businesses
Diwali marks the end of the harvest season in India