Diwali Celebrations

The Sanskrit term Diwali is known as Festival of Lights.The other name variantsare Deepavali. Diwali is one of the largest Hindu festival of lights. It is a largest festival celebrated by Hindus all over the world from the time of immemorial. The term Diwali means "rows of lighted lamps."

Exact Date

According to Shalivahana calendar (South Indian Hindu Calendar), the festival begins on the Chaturthi thithi (lunar day) and ends on the new moon day. In north India Diwali is celebrated for the five days from the 13th day of the Krishna Paksha (dark half of the lunar month) Ashvina to the second day of the light half of Karttika. According to western calendar Diwali falls in the months of October or November. In short Diwali comes exactly twenty days after Dussehra.

Puranic References

Why we celebrate Diwali? The most heard Puranic version is that we celebrate Diwali to commemorate the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. Another reason mostly well known to us is that Diwali is the day Krishna conquered and killed the demon Narakasura. Narakasura's submission to Lord Krishna was that people should adopt this day to honor the death of the demon. Lord Krishna has accepted the request made by the demon and since from that time this day is being adopted as Diwali..

Also Festivals of Sikhs and Jains

Diwali is celebrated at varied regions by people with varied culture and religious faith. In Himachal Pradesh cow worship gets most importance. In Madhya Pradesh Lord Kuber, God of wealth is worshipped on Diwali day. For many North Indian Hindus (Gujaratis), this day is also celebrated as New Year's Eve in north India. The Sikh people also attach significance to the sixth Guru, Hargobind Singh and celebrate Diwali. The day is most important to Jains in India since Lord Mahavir established Dharma on this day.

How Hindus celebrate Diwali?

The goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. She is supposed to be residing in the flame of the lamps lit on this day, People light lamps to invite goddess Lakshmi to their home. Hindus decorate their homes with festoons. People consider that a holy bath on this day in Ganges will bring prosperity to them. They will wear new dresses. Sweets and snacks are exchanged between families. To enhance the cheer of Diwali both the kids and youngsters fire crackers and fireworks during that night.

Diwali Greetings

This year DIWALI falls on 27^th OCTOBER 2008 and 28^th October 2008. I wish you a joyous Diwali to all Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and their families and friends. I hope you will enjoy your Diwali celebration with cheer.