"Diwali Festival of INDIA"
Festivals are an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community. Festivals in India are an integral part of people's life. Festivals of India portray the rich cultural heritage of the country.One of the main and important festivals of India is "DIWALI." The festival has been celebrated for ages in India.But do you have any idea how and when did it first originate? What is the History of this festival, meaning and how it is celebrated?
Decorated with Diyas 'LAMPS'
Diwali is the time to enjoy the delicious sweets, light the bright lamps and have a sparkling celebration.The history of Diwali celebrations is nearly as old as the history of India. It is since ancient times that Diwali has been celebrated. It is not easy to say now what really was the reason behind its origin. Different people believe different events to be the cause behind this festival. The most well known story behind Diwali is in the Ramayana, the great Hindu epic. According to Ramayana, Rama, the prince of Ayodhya was ordered by his father, King Dasharatha, to go away from his country and come back after living in the forest for fourteen years. So Rama went on exile with his devoted wife Sita and faithful brother, Lakshmana. When Ravana, the demon king of Lanka abducted Sita and took her away to his island kingdom of Lanka, Rama fought against and killed Ravana. He rescued Sita and returned to Ayodhya after fourteen years. The people of Ayodhya were very happy to hear of their beloved prince's homecoming. To celebrate Rama's return to Ayodhya, they lit up their houses with earthen lamps (diyas), burst crackers and decorated the entire city in the grandest manner.This is believed to have started the tradition of Diwali. Year after year this homecoming of Lord Rama is celebrated on Diwali with lights, fireworks and bursting of crackers. The festival gets its name Deepawali, or Diwali, from the rows (avali) of lamps (deepa) that the people of Ayodhya lit to welcome their King.
"FIRE CRACKERS"
The word "Diwali" is a variation of the Sanskrit word "Deepavali" which means "a continuous line of lamps" (The word 'Deep' means "light", and 'avali' means "a continuous line"). Thus, Diwali is the time to celebrate with lights.
The first day of Diwali is Dhanteras. Doorways are hung with torans of mango leaves and marigolds. Rangolis are drawn with different coloured powders to welcome guests. The traditional motifs are often linked with auspicious symbols of good luck. Oil diyas are arranged in and around the house. Because of these flickering lamps, the festival has acquired its name : Dipawali or Diwali meaning `a rows of lamps'. On this day, people buy something for the house or some jewellery for the women of the house. It is auspicious to be buy something metallic, esp silver. The next day is also called Chhoti Diwali.On the dark new moon night, the entrances to all homes are lit up and decorated with rangoli patterns to welcome Lakshmi, the radiant consort of Vishnu and the goddess of wealth and lustre. Lakshmi Puja is performed on this day. Diwali is the last day of financial year in traditional Hindu business and businessmen. The day ends with a mega cracker bursting sessions. For 5-6 hours, every family burns fire crackers worth thousands of ruppees. Poplular fire crackers are sparkling pots, bombs, rockets etc.
"DELICIOUS SWEETS"
"DELICIOUS SWEETS"
"GODDESS LAXMI"
"Whole city is decorated with lights"
"RANGOLI-WITH COLORED POWDER"
"LORD RAMA"
"HOUSES ARE DECORATED "
Diwali, one of the longest festivals in the Hindu year, is a time when everything in India comes to a standstill except family life, feasting and shopping. Diwali is considered auspicious for shopping, inaugurations of new homes, business deals or for starting any new ventures and projects. In short, Diwali is festival of excitement. According to me, this festival should never end but anything that has started should meet its end. But, this festival always ends happily. I like this festival very much.
Festivals are an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community. Festivals in India are an integral part of people's life. Festivals of India portray the rich cultural heritage of the country.One of the main and important festivals of India is "DIWALI." The festival has been celebrated for ages in India.But do you have any idea how and when did it first originate? What is the History of this festival, meaning and how it is celebrated?
Diwali is the time to enjoy the delicious sweets, light the bright lamps and have a sparkling celebration.The history of Diwali celebrations is nearly as old as the history of India. It is since ancient times that Diwali has been celebrated. It is not easy to say now what really was the reason behind its origin. Different people believe different events to be the cause behind this festival. The most well known story behind Diwali is in the Ramayana, the great Hindu epic. According to Ramayana, Rama, the prince of Ayodhya was ordered by his father, King Dasharatha, to go away from his country and come back after living in the forest for fourteen years. So Rama went on exile with his devoted wife Sita and faithful brother, Lakshmana. When Ravana, the demon king of Lanka abducted Sita and took her away to his island kingdom of Lanka, Rama fought against and killed Ravana. He rescued Sita and returned to Ayodhya after fourteen years. The people of Ayodhya were very happy to hear of their beloved prince's homecoming. To celebrate Rama's return to Ayodhya, they lit up their houses with earthen lamps (diyas), burst crackers and decorated the entire city in the grandest manner.This is believed to have started the tradition of Diwali. Year after year this homecoming of Lord Rama is celebrated on Diwali with lights, fireworks and bursting of crackers. The festival gets its name Deepawali, or Diwali, from the rows (avali) of lamps (deepa) that the people of Ayodhya lit to welcome their King.
The word "Diwali" is a variation of the Sanskrit word "Deepavali" which means "a continuous line of lamps" (The word 'Deep' means "light", and 'avali' means "a continuous line"). Thus, Diwali is the time to celebrate with lights.
The first day of Diwali is Dhanteras. Doorways are hung with torans of mango leaves and marigolds. Rangolis are drawn with different coloured powders to welcome guests. The traditional motifs are often linked with auspicious symbols of good luck. Oil diyas are arranged in and around the house. Because of these flickering lamps, the festival has acquired its name : Dipawali or Diwali meaning `a rows of lamps'. On this day, people buy something for the house or some jewellery for the women of the house. It is auspicious to be buy something metallic, esp silver. The next day is also called Chhoti Diwali.On the dark new moon night, the entrances to all homes are lit up and decorated with rangoli patterns to welcome Lakshmi, the radiant consort of Vishnu and the goddess of wealth and lustre. Lakshmi Puja is performed on this day. Diwali is the last day of financial year in traditional Hindu business and businessmen. The day ends with a mega cracker bursting sessions. For 5-6 hours, every family burns fire crackers worth thousands of ruppees. Poplular fire crackers are sparkling pots, bombs, rockets etc.
"Whole city is decorated with lights"
"HOUSES ARE DECORATED "
Diwali, one of the longest festivals in the Hindu year, is a time when everything in India comes to a standstill except family life, feasting and shopping. Diwali is considered auspicious for shopping, inaugurations of new homes, business deals or for starting any new ventures and projects. In short, Diwali is festival of excitement. According to me, this festival should never end but anything that has started should meet its end. But, this festival always ends happily. I like this festival very much.
Very interesting.Well researched and illustrated. Only a few language errors, which we'll talk about on Saturday.
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