Diwali Festival

Diwali is known as the festival of lights. It is one of the most important festival for Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. During this festival they light Diyas, with cotton wicks in clay diya with coconut oil to mark the victory of good over evil. The festival occurs on the new moon between October 13 and November 14. According to Hindu calendar it falls on the new moon day that finishes the month of Ashwin and starting the month of kartik. In Hinduism this festival marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya and the warm welcome by lighting rows of diya, thus the name dipawali originates.

Myths Behind
There are various Myths behind the origin of the festival. One of them is the return of Lord Rama to Ajodhya after defeating Ravana. The day of his return marks the victory of good over evil and is celebrated as diwali. The other myth prevalent in the society is that Narakasura was killed this day by Krishna’s wife Satyabhama in the Dwapar Yug. Govardhan Puja is done after the day of diwali to mark Krishna’s victory over Indra.

Spiritual Significance
The Significant spiritual meaning of lightning rows of diya is that it marks the awareness of the inner light. According to Hindu mythology something which is pure, and eternal do recede in every physical body, known as the Atman. The celebration for this inner light is Diwali. It is believed on knowledge about Atman, awakens the true nature of a physical body and makes it eternal.

Celebrations
After the Puja ,firecrackers are busted by childrens which signifies the victory of truth.At this auspicious day many people celebrate lakshmi puja because diwali marks the end of the harvest season in various parts of India and Nepal. Goddess Lakhsmi is symbolized as the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. The puja is conducted as a thanksgiving to Godess Lakhsmi for an excellent harvest and blessings are taken for the upcoming year to be prosperous.

Govardhan Puja or the Annakut is celebrated this day marking the victory of Krishna over Indra. Bhaiduj is also celebrated two day after the puja. This is a festival which is celebrated in nearly all of the states in India in some form of the other. Some call it Narak Chaturthi, some diwali but all of them victory of truth over evil.