Diwali is one of India’s biggest festivals which is also called Deepawali. The word ‘Diwali’ means rows of sparkling lamps. It is a festival of lights and Hindus celebrate it with joy and enthusiasm. During this festival, people lighten up their houses and shops and decorate with diyas. They worship the Lord Ganesh for welfare and prosperity and Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and wisdom.
This festival is celebrated in the Hindu month of Karthika Masam which falls sometime during October or November. It is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama after 14 years of banishment and his victory over the Demon Ravana. In many parts of India, Deepawali is celebrated for five consecutive days. Hindus regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen relationships. In some parts of India, it marks the beginning of a new year. People clean and decorate their house before the festival. They do colorful rangoli art works on the floor. Diwali is celebrated and is a public holiday in countries. On the day of Deepawali, people put on their best clothes and exchange greetings, gifts and sweets with their friends and family.
The people of other religions also celebrate this festival by enjoying cracking the crackers. This is one of the delightful festivals which was celebrated in many countries. The smiles with satisfaction, delight with the divine, joy with an enjoyment brings people to enjoy. This is the festival of peace that people will find in enjoying with lights and crackers because of the success of Lord Rama.
At night, buildings are illuminated with earthen lamps, candle-sticks and electric bulbs. Everyone used to crack the crackers on Diwali nights. Sweets and toy shops are decorated to attract passers-by. The bazaars and streets are overcrowded. People buy sweets for their own families and also send them as presents to their friends and relatives. The Goddess Lakshmi is also worshiped in the form of earthen images, silver rupee. Hindus believe that on this day, Lakshmi only enters houses which are neat and tidy. People offer prayers for their own health, wealth and prosperity. They leave the light on in buildings believing that Lakshmi will not have difficulty in finding her way in.
The Five Days of Diwali:
Diwali is a five day festival that straddles the new moon. Though widely celebrated across all of India, the days may have different names and have additional meanings in some parts of India, there is enough commonality to briefly describe each of the days:
Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five-day festivities of Diwali. On this day, it is customary for people to clean their houses, so they are ready to welcome in Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, whose Puja is performed in the evening. This is an auspicious day and a lucky day for buying expensive goods, though it is also a day to consider charity for those less well off. Small clay lamps, called diyas are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits.
According to Hindu tradition, the demon Narakasura was killed by Lord Krishna on the second day. Marking the coming end of the year in some regions of India, customs on this day are about cleaning the slate before the start of a new year and getting rid of anything bad. People get up early and wash and put on clean or new clothes. In parts of Southern India, this day is celebrated as the main day of Deepavali.
The third day is celebrated on the new moon in Kartik. In most parts of India, this is the most important day of the festival and is the last day of the year in many regions of India. On this day, Lord Rama rescued his wife, Sita, from the demon Ravana and returned home after a long exile. Candles are lit to celebrate his victory, and to light his way home after the battle. In the evening, it may seem like the whole of India is lit by explosions as people set off many fireworks.
The fourth day of Diwali is also the first day of the new year in the Vikram Samvat calendar and may also be known as Pratipada, Govardhan Puja or Annakut. Annakut means ‘mountain of food’, which is a giveaway that today is all about feasting. Tradition has it that on this day, Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill to give shelter from torrential rains to local villagers. Today, Hindus prepare a great deal of food and take it to the temples to celebrate the beginning of the new year and give thanks to Krishna for his benevolence.
This is the fifth and last day of Diwali festival. This day celebrates the relationship between brother and sister.
We are in 2020 and diwali is an upcoming festival as of now and on November 14th. People wish each other on this sparkling festival. Diwali, which for some also coincides with harvest and new year celebrations, is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness.
Quotes of Diwali to greet friends and family:
1.May your life be filled with colours of happiness.
Have a happy and safe Diwali.
- May this Diwali, come up with Fresh hopes, bright days and new dreams,
Wishing you and your family a very happy Diwali!
- Let each diya you light bring a glow of happiness on your face and enlighten your soul.
Happy Diwali!
- May prosperity and happiness fill your life, with the shine of diyas and the echoes of chants.
- The beautiful festival of snacks and sweets
Everyone enjoying a royal feast
And with love and affection do all hearts beat.
Wish You Happy Diwali!
- Cherish the good times and the timeless memories made with friends this Diwali. Have a lovely festive time.
Happy Diwali!
- May the festival of joy become more beautiful for you and family. All your new ventures get success and progress.
Happy Diwali!
- Light a lamp of love!
Blast a chain of sorrow!
Shoot a rocket of prosperity!
Fire a flowerpot of happiness!
Wish you and your family sparking Diwali!
- Let’s make this Diwali joyous and bright,
Let’s celebrate in true sense this festival of light.
Happy Deepawali
- May the beauty of the festival of lights fill your home with happiness and my new year bring joy, peace, and prosperity in your life. Wish you and family a very Happy Diwali!!