Why is Deepawali Celebrated?
Deepawali is the much-awaited festival of Hindus in India. It is the blissful celebration of sparkling lights and the overthrowing of shadows of darkness. According to the Indian mythology, the festival is the biggest testimony ever of the victory of truth over the unjust. It is believed that Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya on this day after 14 years of exile. According to another legend, Deepawali is the auspicious commencement of the Hindu calendar and usually marks the beginning of the harvest season.
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Traditional Way of Celebration
Deepawali is celebrated with full vigor and enthusiasm in each and every Hindu family of India. People lit continuous series of earthen diyas and candles signifying the victory of good over evil. The deity of wealth and prosperity, Goddess Lakshmi, is believed to shower luck and happiness on the people on this auspicious day, and therefore the puja of the goddess forms an inseparable part of the entire occasion. Lord Ganesha, who is believed to bestow wisdom to a person, is also worshipped. People also visit their friends and relatives and give them sweets and gifts.
Deepawali of Modern Times
Deepawali in modern times has surpassed the conventional way of its celebration. Now it is not just about diyas and sweets, but the celebration has gone modern with times. People decorate their houses with modern lightings and also enjoy firecrackers in the night. Sounds of firecrackers can be heard till midnight in the major cities of the country. On the whole, Deepawali is the biggest festival of India.