diwali

        

   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.

Later in the evening firecrackers take central stage while those who want to stay away from the noise and pollution spend the night playing cards.