Information on diwali.

Diwali is the festival of light, mainly celebrated in India. Before Diwali, people clean, renovate, and decorate their homes and offices. During Diwali people wear new clothes, light up diyas inside and outside their home, sharing sweets, exchange of gifts between family members and close friends.

HISTORY OF DIWALI:-

Diwali dates back to ancient times in India, as a festival after the summer harvest in the Hindu calendar month of kartika. The festival is mentioned in Sanskrit texts such as the padma Purana, the skanda purana both completed in second half of 1st millennium AD but believed to have been expanded from a core text from an earlier era. The diyas(lamps) are mentioned in Skanda Purana to symbolically represent parts of the sun, the cosmic giver of light and energy to all life, who seasonally transitions in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik.

Hindus in some regions of India associate Diwali with the legend of Yama and Nachiketa Kartika amavasya (Diwali night).The Nachiketa story about right versus wrong, true wealth versus transient wealth, knowledge versus ignorance is recorded in katha Upanishad composed in 1st millennium BC.

King Harsha in the 7th century Sanskrit play Nagananda mentions Deepavali as Deepapratipadutsava (Deepa = light, pratipada= first day, utsava = festival), where lamps were lit and newly engaged brides and grooms were given gifts. Rajasekhara referred to Deepavali as Dipamalika in his 9th century Kavyamimamsa, wherein he mentions the tradition of homes being whitewashed and oil lamps decorating homes, streets and markets in the night.The Persian traveller and historian AI Biruni, in his 11th century memoir on India, wrote of Deepavali being celebrated by Hindus on New Moon day of the month of Kartika.

WHEN IS DIWALI CELEBRATED?

The dates of Diwali changes every year and are based on Hindu Lunar Calendar,but the dates fall between mid-october and mid-November.The festival is of 5 day with Dwali on third day.

HOW DIWALI IS CELEBRATED?

Diwali is a 5 day festival. It is observed each year at some point during mid-october to mid-November in many countries such as India, Singapore, Malaysia, and Nepal or where there are large Indian community living such as in Canada, Britain, South Africa, and New Zealand. Diwali is also known as "THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT".

During Diwali festival people go for shopping to buy different things. People clean their house and office premises before first Diwali day. They draw Rangoli on the entrance of home or their office. They light lamps every night during festival. They light some fire crackers and fireworks. Wear new clothes and jewelry on second and third day of the festival. Perform Laxmi pooja. In short everyone enjoys a lot during these 5 day festival.

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"May this Diwali light up your new dreams, new hopes, new avenues, and new perspectives? May it shower everything good in your life and fill each day with pleasant moments. Happy Diwali to you!"