Diwali is the biggest festivals of Hindu which unites the whole of India in a single thread of love and spirituality. It is celebrated throughout the nation with pomp and pageantry. Deepawali or Diwali in Hindi is celebrated for five continuous days and the third day is celebrated as the main Diwali.

Festival of light or Diwali, is a glittering festival, with people lightening diyas and candles around their houses. The name Diwali signifies ‘rows of lighted lamps’. Children burst crackers and sky gets filled with glittering festivities.

Diwali begins on the 15th day of the Hindu calendar month of Kartika (Ashwin). As per the Gregorian calendar, Diwali falls in October or November. The auspicious festival of Diwali marks the beginning of the Hindu and Gujarati New Year. It is celebrated with the lighting of lamps and candles, and lots of fireworks. Hindus worship Lord Ganesha, the foremost of all Hindu Gods and Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of Wealth and Prosperity. Goddess Lakshmi is thanked for the bounty and people offer prayers for the prosperous year ahead. According to some, Diwali has originated as a harvest festival, marking the last harvest of the year before winter.

On the auspicious day of Diwali, people get dressed in new clothes and diyas are placed on rooftops, rooms, veranda, terrace and kitchen and balcony. Rangoli patterns are made in front of the house to welcome the homecoming of Goddess Laxmi and guests. Families go out for shopping and purchase new decorative items to give a new look to their house, especially, kids buy all types of crackers including charkha, phuljhari, anar etc. Sweets and gifts are exchanged between neighbors, friends, family, peers and acquaintances.

Diwali is an opulent five day festivity. The first day of the festival starts with Dhanteras, to worship the goddess of prosperity, Goddess Lakshmi. On this day, homes are cleaned and people buy utensils. On Chaturdashi, demon Narakasura was killed and signifies the victory of good over evil. Hindus wake up early in the morning and light small small lamps outside their house. Lakshmi Puja is the most important day of the Diwali celebrations and Hindus worship Goddess Lakshi, goddess of wealth and Lord Ganesh, the god of auspicious beginning. Govardhan Puja is also called Annakut. On this day Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan mountain on his little finger to save people form deluge. Bhaiduj, celebrate the bond of brothr and sister. Sisters put vermilion on their brother’s forehead to express their love and affection. In Bengal, the Diwali celebration is marked with the worship of Goddess Kali. People celebrate Kali Puja with great zeal and enthusiasm.

Diwali marks the homecoming of Lord Rama, prince of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman after a 14-year of exile. The people of Ayodhya welcome their Prince Rama by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deepa), and hence was named, Deepawali, or simply shortened as Diwali.

Diwali is an auspicious occasion when cheerfulness, togetherness, unity and happiness prevails in every corner. This is that time of the year when people of all age and all class take part in celebration.