Deepawali :Festival of Lights

An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

Deepawali/Diwali

• Deepawali commonly known as Diwali means Rows of Diyas/Lamps.

• It is one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated with pomp and splendour all over India and in many other parts of the world.

• Namaste is a traditional Hindu greeting based on the belief that each one of us is a part of God or the Divine. We salute the Divinity in the person we meet.

An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

A potter makes earthen lamps for the Diwali festival, in Allahabad, India

Volunteers work inside a candle and lamp making workshop at a blind school ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali in New Delhi, India

A potter makes clay lamps for Diwali in Mumbai, India

A woman colours clay lamps for Diwali in Mumbai, India on October 15th, 2009

Diwali : When is it celebrated?

• The Hindu calendar is based on the lunar cycle and the movement of the moon, unlike the conventional Gregorian/English calendar.

• The result is that Indian festivals move sideways compared to the English calendar from year to year.

• Diwali, for example falls on the date of the ‘No moon’(called Amavasya) In the month of Kartika (Hindi Calendar), usually this is in October or November.

An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

Diwali: Why do we celebrate it?

• Celebrating the triumph of good over evil.

• Beginning of new year for Hindus.

• After fourteen years of exile in the forest, the King of Ayodhya, Lord Rama with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshman, returned to their hometown.Before that, they defeated Demon King Ravana in a fierce war.

• Upon Rama's return to Ayodhya the people of the town lit lamps to welcome the King back and to celebrate the victory over Ravana.

• Overjoyed at the return of King Rama, the people celebrated and fired fireworks to show their happiness. These festivities continue every year at Diwali and are still celebrated today.

An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

Diwali: Festival of Lights

• Diwali celebrations can last up to five days. Each region of the country celebrating the triumph of good over evil in a uniquely regional way.

• First day is called Dhanteras. Major shopping day, particularly for gold or silver articles.

• Second day is called Narka Chaturdashi. Chhoti Diwali(Small Diwali). House decoration and colourful floor patterns, Rangoli, are made.

An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

Diwali: How do we celebrate it?

• Third day is called Main Diwali. Lakshmi Pooja (Workshipping the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity). Merchants and shopkeepers close out their old year.

• Fourth day is called Padwa/Goverdhan Pooja. It celebrates the love and mutual devotion between the wife and husband. Exchange of gifts. Goverdhan Pooja in the honor of Lord Krishna. Merchants and shopkeepers start a new fiscal year with blessings from Lakshmi and other deities.

• Fifth day is called Bhai Dooj. It celebrates the sister-brother loving relationship. Sisters pray for the well being of their brothers, then return to a ritual of food-sharing, gift-giving and conversations.

An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

Diwali: How do we celebrate it?

Diwali: How do we celebrate it?

• Lighting of Diyas or earthen lamps in every corner of homes.• Decoration of homes in multi-colored and floral design

(Rangoli).• Visits to the temples and offerings to Lakshmi, the Goddess of

Spiritual and material prosperity• Exchange of sweets with friends and neighbors.

An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

And Fireworks

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A boy lights fireworks on the Hindu festival of Diwali in New Delhi

Children wave sparklers at night, during Diwali in New Delhi, India

In this long-exposure photograph, two girls spin sparklers in the air, in Ahmadabad, India

A devotee lights a lamp at Akshardham temple during celebrations to mark the annual Hindu festival of Diwali at Gandhinagar in the western Indian state of Gujarat

An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldier lights a candle inside a bunker on the occasion of the Hindu festival of Diwali, at the India-Bangladesh border on the

outskirts of Agartala, capital of India's north eastern state of Tripura.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers light candles to celebrate Diwali, at the India-Bangladesh border on the outskirts of the eastern Indian city of Siliguri

A boy dressed as Hindu Lord Krishna participates in the annual procession on the eve of Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, in Paramaribo, Suriname

Children decorate their front yard with lamps as they celebrate Diwali at the Sanatan Dharm Children's Home in Paramaribo, Suriname

Picture of India on Diwali (Taken by NASA’s Satellite)

It’s a fake picture which was in circulation for quite some time in the Facebook and many people believed it to be true.

I just kept it here to give you an idea about the Diwali Celebrations in India.

An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

Special Message

Special Diwali Message

An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata