Happy Diwali
Diwali is
one of the most important Hindu festivals in India - but the colorful customs
and meanings associated with it can vary dramatically depending on whether you
reside in the countryside or the city.
On the
streets of densely populated conurbations like Mumbai, Diwali - popularly known
as the Festival of Lights - is often a raucous affair, marked by a cacophony of
firecrackers on the streets and a flourish of ceremonial gambling in the home.
The wealthier urban dwellers splurge on gold, jewelry, clothes and expensive
gifts such as electronics, which they buy for themselves and their loved ones.
Full story
Once upon a
time there was a great warrior, Prince Rama, who had a beautiful wife named
Sita.
There was
also a terrible demon king, Ravana. He had twenty arms and ten heads, and was
feared throughout the land. He wanted to make Sita his wife, and one day he
kidnapped her and took her away in his chariot. Clever Sita left a trail of her
jewellery for Rama to follow.
Rama
followed the trail of glittering jewellery until he met the monkey king,
Hanuman, who became his friend and agreed to help find Sita. Messages were sent
to all the monkeys in the world, and through them to all the bears, who set out
to find Sita.
After a very
long search, Hanuman found Sita imprisoned on an island. Rama's army of monkeys
and bears couldn't reach the island, so they began to build a bridge. Soon all
the animals of the world, large and small, came to help. When the bridge was
built, they rushed across it and fought a mighty battle.
When Rama
killed the evil Ravana with a magic arrow, the whole world rejoiced. Rama and
Sita began their long journey back to their land, and everybody lit oil lamps
to guide them on their way and welcome them back.
Ever since,
people light lamps at Diwali to remember that light triumphs over dark and good
triumphs over evil.
How to
celebrate
The arrival
of the festival of lights also signifies the growth in wealth as Hindus believe
that on this day Mother Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, enters their homes and
brings good luck and prosperity.
People burn
crackers to celebrate Diwali.
To celebrate
the day, people clean their homes and decorate them with colourful flowers and
row of clay lamps shimmering inside and outside.
Hindu women
prepare mouth watering delicacies including sweets and snacks. On the evening
of Diwali, people wear new clothes and perform Lakshmi Puja (worship) and
distribute sweets and greet each other.



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