The Most Auspicious Festival for Indians - Diwali

Diwali also known as the Deepawali - Row of Deep, the festival of light, is the most famous, important and awaited festival celebrated by all Indians with great joy and happiness on the Amavasya of the Ashwini month the final day of Hindu calendar. People of all the religion across India celebrate Diwali with immense brotherhood. Lord Shree Ram came back to Ayodhya on this day after 14 years of Vanvas and victory over the demon Ravan. The people of entire Ayodhya welcomed Lord Shree Ram with row of lights as the symbol of victory of good over evil and darkness. This is how tradition set to light oil lamps on Diwali.

Diwali is celebrated for five days; Dhan Teras, Kali Chaudash, Diwali, Gujarati New Year or Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. Diwali is not just the festival of light and celebration but also a time to reflect on individual life, past deeds and making right changes for the upcoming time. Diwali is also a celebration of forgiving, forgetting, freedom and giving. During Diwali, people get charged up with happy and refresh their minds to change as healthy, more workaholic and spiritual.

Story and Significance: There are various stories behind the Diwali, the most famous one is related the Lord Shree Ram; Lord Shree Ram was on the Vanvas for 14 years to keep the promise of father King Dasharath to queen Kaikai. During the Vanvas Demon Ravan kidnapped Ma Devi Sita and after that a horrible war took place between Lord Shree Ram and the demon Ravan. Lord Shree Ram and his army fought the demon Ravan and his followers in Lanka. After this Lord Shree Ram came back to Ayodhay on this day.

Another story related to the Pandavas, they also completed the Vanvas and Gupt Vas during this time and started preparation of dharma yuddha - war against the Kauravas. Ma Devi Laxmi emerged from the Samudra Manthan on Diwali so people worship and welcomed Ma Devi Laxmi. Lord Shree Krishna and Satyabhama had killed the demon Narkasur during this period.

In Jainism Diwali celebrate as the day when Mahavira, the last Tirthankara on earth, attained Nirvana. In Buddhism Diwali celebrate as the day when King Ashoka converted himself to Buddhism. In Sikhism Diwali celebrate as the day to remember the homecoming of their Guru Har Gobind Ji from the prison of king Jahangir along with several Hindu gurus.

Celebration: Diwali is celebrated by all Indians by decorating homes, lighting fireworks, Laxmi Puja, Shopping and eating a varieties of food items, especially sweets. People welcome Ma Devi Laxmi with Rangoli on the entrance of their home and do the pujan archan for a better year full of wealth, peace and prosperity. People light the row of divas in the evening to pass the message of victory of light over darkness. All the women prepare lots of sweets and snacks at home and share with their loved ones. People purchase lots of items including clothes, gifts, gold and silver in Diwali.

Due to the increased pollution in our Earth lighting fireworks is not promoted. Eco Friendly fireworks can be used or this festival can be celebrated by other ways in order to keep the interest of a healthy future of our Earth in mind and future generations too.

In short Diwali is a festival to resolve the personal, family and society conflicts and increase love and unity. We all should try to build spirit in our hearts to save our culture, tradition, and spirituality.