Diwali or Deepavali means the festival of lamps and lights. It is a famous Hindu festival that is celebrated on the homecoming of Lord Ram. On this day, Ram and Sita returned to Ayodhya with Laxman after achieving victory over Raavana. People welcomed them with a huge celebration that included lighting diyas, burning crackers, distributing sweets, and many more. It is a festival of enjoyment and happiness that is celebrated together. It is a five-day-long festival and every day has different rituals and customs. Dhanteras is the first day when people buy gold and utensils to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi. Bhai Dooj is the last day, which is a favorite festival of brothers and sisters. The festival of lights is celebrated in October and November, which is almost at the starting of winter.
To embrace this beautiful festival, the temples look like a newly married couple. Before the festival, the sellers of sweets start making sweets. Businesses open their new accounts that day. On this day, people wear new clothes. They go to the market and buy utensils, fruits, and many other items. Diwali is also celebrated as Hindus New Year. Kids buy toys and crackers. Diwali Gifts are exchanged with friends and relatives. At night, there is brightness everywhere. People light lamps and candles. Diwali candles and diyas are easily available in the local markets and you can also buy online from the comfort of your home. Children work with fire. At night people worship Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. People pray for health, happiness, and success. Some fools gamble to this day. It is a bad practice it should stop. Many other myths are responsible for the celebration of the Diwali festival. Diwali is a religious festival that Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists celebrate according to their beliefs, stories, and historical events. If you want to know some interesting facts about celebrating Diwali, then this article will help you a lot.
Goddess Lakshmi Birthday Celebration
The Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity and the wife of God Vishnu, was born from the churning of the ocean. She was born on the full moon night of Kartik month. So she was strongly associated with Diwali. Some people say that Devi got married to God Vishnu on this day. Some say that Vishnu came back to his Lakshmi and Vaikuntha. So Lakshmi is in a good mood on this day and blesses people with mental, physical, and material things year ahead.
Lord Krishna Killed the Demon King Naraksura
Lord Krishna killed the demon king Naraksura of Pragjothispura, who had invaded the three worlds. Krishna rescued the 16000 women from his captivity and bought a wave of peace in the city. According to the traditional story, Naraksura repented in the last moments and requested that his death to be celebrated with lights and colors every year. It was a wish granted gladly. Diwali is a day of expressing your heartfelt feelings and emotions towards your loved one. If you want to send Diwali gifts to your loved ones who lives in Delhi, you can send Diwali gifts in Delhi to the doorstep of your loved ones.
Guru Hargovind Ji’s Escape from Gwalior
Sikhs Guru Hargovind Sahib Ji got released from the captivity of Mughal ruler Jahangir in fort Gwalior with 62 Hindu kings. He reached Amritsar on the day of Diwali. Sikhs also celebrate this day as Bandi Chhor Divas. So on this occasion, Golden Temple is decorated with thousands of little lamps. People do fireworks here to express their joy. Some people say that the foundation stone of the Golden Temple was laid on this day. So it became a reason to celebrate this day with delight.
A Day of Peace Against All Odds
India and Pakistan have fought three wars in the last 70 years, and due to this, the border between these two countries are always in a tense condition. Diwali is the only day when soldiers from both sides lay their differences beside and meet and greet and distribute sweets with each other. Diwali is about exchanging sweets and gifts with friends, family, and relatives. If you want to send Diwali sweets to your family and friends, you can avail online delivery services to their doorstep.
Jains Celebrate to Remember Mahavira
Diwali is also observed by Jainism with great joy and enthusiasm. Lord Mahavira, the last of the Jain Tirthankara era, attained nirvana or moksha on this day at Pavapuri on Chaturdashi of Kartik month. According to the Kalpa Sutra, many Gods are present there illuminating the darkness. So Jainism people celebrate Diwali remembering Lord Mahavira.
The Return of Pandavas
According to the Mahabharata, it was Kartik Amavasya when the five Pandava brothers Yudhishthira, Nakul, Arjun, Bhim, Sahdeva appeared after the banishment of 12 years of vanvas. They had got punishment after a defeat from Kauravas in the game of dice gambling. So this day is also marked with the lighting of the earthen Diyas in the homecoming of Pandavas.