It's festivals galore in the country and we can't get enough of the festivities. After the celebrations of Navratri and Dussehra, the preparations of Diwali have taken over us. While our weekends are booked for Diwali cleaning, not a lot of people don't know why exactly we celebrate Diwali. After Ravana kidnapped Sita, Lord Ram headed to Sri Lanka to rescue the Goddess. Eighteen days after defeating Ravana, Lord Ram, Sita, Laxmana returned to Ayodhya and that day is celebrated as Diwali.
This auspicious day signifies good over evil and light over dark. The word Diwali is taken from the Sanskrit word Deepavali which signifies rows of lighted lamps. While most of the country celebrated the return of Lord Ram, in Southern India, this festival is celebrated as the day Lord Krishna defeated demon Narakasura. But before his death, Narakasura requested a boon that his death be celebrated with colourful lights. And the night before Diwali, is celebrated as Naraka Chatur Dashi.
Diwali also holds importance for Indians as a day dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. Bestowed with good fortune, prosperity and wealth, devotees begin the pooja by praying Lord Ganesha followed by a pooja for Goddess Lakshmi to ward away obstacles. According to legends, on this day Goddess Lakshmi visits each of her devotees and bestows them with gifts and wishes. In order to welcome the deity into their house, the devotees clean their house, wear new clothes and light up the house with new lights every year. The pooja begins by opening all the doors and windows the welcome Goddess Lakshmi into our homes.
While we gear up to ring in this beautiful festival, here's wishing everyone a Happy Diwali.
