Deepavali, a five-day festival, celebrates the return of Lord Rama with Sita and Lakshman after a long exile of 14 years. This festival is also known as the Festival of Lights. Deepavali means a row of lamps. After the defeat of Ravana, the people of Ayodhya lit the first dias to welcome their king Rama. Some people in India believe that it is the wedding of Vishnu and Lakshmi.
In many parts of the world, Ganesha, the god of well-being, is worshiped on Diwali. Deepavali is the anniversary of Nirvana or the liberation of the soul of the Mahavira of Jainism. Deepavali is celebrated in West Bengal to pay homage to the goddess Kali, the goddess of energy. The festival of lights takes place on the darkest night of the month of Karthik (the first night of the new moon) in the Hindu calendar. Traditionally Deepavali is celebrated on the third day and Deepavali falls on 14th November 2020. Like other famous festivals in India, Deepavali celebrations across India unite the whole country with great enthusiasm and grandeur. People usually wear new clothes and share gifts on Deepavali night, and those who can afford it buy silver or gold jewelery. This festival is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India.
In addition to Deepavali home decor, delicious dishes add color and flavor to the festive spirit. There are so many types delicious foods belong to this festival. Gulab jamun, Samosa, Anarsa, Cholafali, Murukku, Ukkarai, are some foods that made on this day. Deepavali is a five day festival of the new moon crossing. Although widely celebrated throughout India, the dates may have different names and may have additional meanings in some parts of India, but each day has enough generality to be briefly described.
Dhanteras
Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five day festivities of Diwali. On this day it is customary for people to clean their houses and they are ready to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, who performs evening poojas. This is an auspicious day and a lucky day to buy expensive items. It is also a day to consider charitable activities. Small clay lamps are lit to cast out the shadows of evil spirits.
Naraka Chaturdashi
According to Hindu tradition, the demon Narakasura is believed to have been killed by Krishna on the second day. In some parts of India, marking the end of the year, it is customary to clean the slate and get rid of bad things before the start of the new year. People get up in the morning, wash, clean, and put on new clothes on this day.
In some parts of South India, this day is celebrated as the main day of Deepavali.
Diwali
The third day is celebrated on the new moon in Kartik. In many parts of India this is the most important day of the festival and in many parts of India it is the last day of the year. On this day, Lord Rama rescued his wife, Sita, from the demon Ravana and returned home after a long exile. Candles are lit to celebrate his victory and to light his house after the battle. In the evenings, people do a lot of fireworks and light up the area.
Balipadyami
The fourth day of Diwali is also the first day of the new year in the Vikram Samvat calendar and may also be known as Pratipada, Govardhan Puja or Annakut. Annakut means ‘mountain of food’, which is a giveaway that today is all about feasting. Tradition has it that on this day, Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill to give shelter from torrential rains to local villagers. Today, Hindus prepare a great deal of food and take it to the temples to celebrate the beginning of the new year and give thanks to Krishna for his benevolence.
Bhai Bij
This is the fifth and last day of the Deepavali festival. This day celebrates the relationship between brother and sister.
