| Diwali is the biggest festivals of Hindu which unites | | | | including charkha, phuljhari, anar etc. Sweets and gifts |
| the whole of India in a single thread of love and | | | | are exchanged between neighbors, friends, family, |
| spirituality. It is celebrated throughout the nation with | | | | peers and acquaintances. |
| pomp and pageantry. Deepawali or Diwali in Hindi is | | | | Diwali is an opulent five day festivity. The first day of |
| celebrated for five continuous days and the third day | | | | the festival starts with Dhanteras, to worship the |
| is celebrated as the main Diwali. | | | | goddess of prosperity, Goddess Lakshmi. On this |
| Festival of light or Diwali, is a glittering festival, with | | | | day, homes are cleaned and people buy utensils. On |
| people lightening diyas and candles around their | | | | Chaturdashi, demon Narakasura was killed and |
| houses. The name Diwali signifies 'rows of lighted | | | | signifies the victory of good over evil. Hindus wake |
| lamps'. Children burst crackers and sky gets filled with | | | | up early in the morning and light small small lamps |
| glittering festivities. | | | | outside their house. Lakshmi Puja is the most |
| Diwali begins on the 15th day of the Hindu calendar | | | | important day of the Diwali celebrations and Hindus |
| month of Kartika (Ashwin). As per the Gregorian | | | | worship Goddess Lakshi, goddess of wealth and Lord |
| calendar, Diwali falls in October or November. The | | | | Ganesh, the god of auspicious beginning. Govardhan |
| auspicious festival of Diwali marks the beginning of | | | | Puja is also called Annakut. On this day Lord Krishna |
| the Hindu and Gujarati New Year. It is celebrated | | | | lifted Govardhan mountain on his little finger to save |
| with the lighting of lamps and candles, and lots of | | | | people form deluge. Bhaiduj, celebrate the bond of |
| fireworks. Hindus worship Lord Ganesha, the | | | | brothr and sister. Sisters put vermilion on their |
| foremost of all Hindu Gods and Goddess Lakshmi, the | | | | brother's forehead to express their love and |
| deity of Wealth and Prosperity. Goddess Lakshmi is | | | | affection. In Bengal, the Diwali celebration is marked |
| thanked for the bounty and people offer prayers for | | | | with the worship of Goddess Kali. People celebrate |
| the prosperous year ahead. According to some, | | | | Kali Puja with great zeal and enthusiasm. |
| Diwali has originated as a harvest festival, marking | | | | Diwali marks the homecoming of Lord Rama, prince |
| the last harvest of the year before winter. | | | | of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman |
| On the auspicious day of Diwali, people get dressed | | | | after a 14-year of exile. The people of Ayodhya |
| in new clothes and diyas are placed on rooftops, | | | | welcome their Prince Rama by lighting rows (avali) of |
| rooms, veranda, terrace and kitchen and balcony. | | | | lamps (deepa), and hence was named, Deepawali, or |
| Rangoli patterns are made in front of the house to | | | | simply shortened as Diwali. |
| welcome the homecoming of Goddess Laxmi and | | | | Diwali is an auspicious occasion when cheerfulness, |
| guests. Families go out for shopping and purchase | | | | togetherness, unity and happiness prevails in every |
| new decorative items to give a new look to their | | | | corner. This is that time of the year when people of |
| house, especially, kids buy all types of crackers | | | | all age and all class take part in celebration. |