If there’s one place that knows how to celebrate a festival, it’s India. From Grand city events to simple village ‘melas’ , India’s festival calendar is rich and diverse as its tradition and topography.

Diwali entails religious and regional variations in the way it is celebrated.  It is a composite festival and different parts of India have their version to explain the legends associated with Diwali. According to mythology, Diwali commemorates the triumphant return of Lord Rama to his kingdom after an exile for fourteen years. Keen to make Lord Rama’s return as swift and safe as possible his subjects illuminated the way with masses of twinkling ‘diyas’. It is for this reason the lighting of ‘diyas’ has become a key component of the Diwali festival. The tradition of fireworks during Diwali is a favourite among kids & elders, men & women. Here is a satellite image of India during the Diwali night.

india-lights

Yes !! it leaves an overwhelming impression in your mind as this festival symbolises the replacement of darkness with inner light.

Diwali is celebrated over a period of five days. The five days of Diwali have different legends and sagas to talk about.

Day 1- Dhanteras

Day 2- Naraka Chaturdashi

Day 3- Deepawali

Day 4- Padwa

Day 5- Bhaubeej

In 2014, the main festival of Diwali falls on the eve of Thursday, October 23. Celebrated with vigour and gaiety all over the country, the magical effect of Diwali creates an atmosphere of joy and festivity. Innumerable lamps are lit on the roofs and windowsills of houses thus giving a divine look to the whole scenario. It is said that Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth roams the earth on this day and enters the house that is pure, clean and brightly illuminated. Therefore,  people , before exchanging gifts and bursting crackers offer prayers to the deity.

Indeed spirituality lies at the heart of Diwali thus making it a perfect blend of ‘Devotion & Celebration’.  Worshippers pray for prosperity and well being for the time that lies ahead, with fireworks and crackers proffering plenty of celebration when devotional formalities come to a close.

Another prominent attribute associated with Diwali is the ‘Mithai’. Shops are filled with spectacular array of sweets specially prepared for this festival from thickly cut squares of ‘barfi’ , soft syrupy ‘gulab jamuns’ & spongy ‘rasgullas’ being the favourites. Indeed if there’s ever time to experience India at its sweet – and convivial- best, it’s during Diwali !!

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