What is Diwali and How do People Celebrate?

What Is Diwali?

Diwali is a five-day Hindu festival that is celebrated at the end of the harvesting season in the northern hemisphere. It is celebrated at the same time as the harvest festival of Thanksgiving in the United States. Diwali is also called the Festival of Lights and the Festival of Victory of Good Over Evil. It is also important to the Jain religion, as it is one of the two most important festivals in that religion. The word “Diwali” is made of two Sanskrit words, “Divali” which means “light” and “Avah” which means “return”. The festival has its origins in the ancient Sanskrit civilization of northern India. It is a celebration of the victory of light over darkness, and good over evil. It is believed that on the day of Diwali, the Goddess of Prosperity, Lakshmi, and the God of Wealth, Kuber, come down to earth from the heavens to visit their earthly home.

Why Do People Celebrate Diwali?

People who celebrate Diwali believe that the victory of good over evil is significant in the life of every individual. It is a time for giving thanks to God. It is a time for prayer, meditation, charity, forgiveness, and letting go of grudges and anger. It is a time for remembering loved ones who have passed away, and wishing them well on their journey in the other world. It is a time to reconnect with family and friends, and to create new friendships. It is a time to mend broken relationships. It is a time to help the less fortunate and to promote equality and justice. It is a time to promote world peace. It is a time to promote harmony between people of different religions and castes. It is a time to promote environmental consciousness and the conservation of natural resources.

How Do People Celebrate Diwali?

On the day of Diwali, people clean and decorate their home with flowers and lights. The house is cleaned of all dirt and dust. The floors are mopped, and the furniture and window sills are dusted. Homes are decorated with rangoli, a traditional Indian art form using coloured rice, flower petals, dried beans and other materials to create geometric patterns and designs. Some homes are decorated with lights, candles, and diyas. People wear new clothes, attend special prayers in temples, share sweets with loved ones and friends, exchange gifts, visit family members and friends, go out to attend social gatherings with people of all religions, and participate in community service activities. Some people visit their friends and relatives living in other cities, or even other countries.

The Importance Of Lighting During Diwali

Light represents knowledge, understanding, goodness, and clarity. The victory of light over darkness is a reminder to all of us to always strive to use our God-given abilities to their fullest. Darkness is associated with ignorance, misunderstanding, evil, and confusion. The victory of light over darkness also reminds us to use our God-given abilities to keep away the darkness in our own hearts. The victory of light over darkness is associated with the increasing length of the day during the northern hemisphere autumn and winter months. The autumn and winter months are associated with harvest, plenty, and prosperity. The victory of light over darkness is celebrated during the autumn and winter months because it is at this time of year that the day is at its longest, that is, light triumphs over darkness at the highest point in the northern hemisphere.

Dussehra And Muharram: Two Events That Coincide With Diwali

Dussehra is a very important festival celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs. It is celebrated on the 10th day of the bright half of the Hindu harvest calendar month of Ashvin (usually in September). Muharram is a very important festival celebrated by Muslims. It is celebrated on the first day of the Islamic calendar month of Muharram (usually in October). Both Dussehra and Muharram coincide with Diwali on different years.

Conclusion

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a Hindu festival celebrated at the end of the harvesting season. It is a celebration of the victory of light over darkness, and good over evil. It is believed that on the day of Diwali, the Goddess of Prosperity, Lakshmi, and the God of Wealth, Kuber, visit their earthly home. People celebrate Diwali by cleaning and decorating their home with flowers and lights, wearing new clothes, attending special prayers in temples, and exchanging gifts. Diwali is a time for remembering loved ones who have passed away, and wishing them well on their journey in the other world. It is also a time for charity, and for helping the less fortunate. It is a time for promoting world peace, and for promoting harmony between people of different religions and castes. It is a time to promote environmental consciousness and the conservation of natural resources. Diwali is also a time to let go of grudges and anger, and to forgive people who have wronged us. It is a time to reconnect with family and friends, and to create new friendships. It is a time to mend broken relationships.