People in India celebrate differnt kinds of festivals throughout the year. All people celebrate various festivals according to their religions. Diwali is the major Indian festival celebrated with great enthusiasm, enjoyment and zeal. If it is said that Diwali is the biggest Hindu festival then it will not be an exaggeration. Diwali which means “rows of light” or “arrays of lamps” is celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over evil, when Lord Rama defeated Ravana to rescue his wife Sita from his custody. This is the reason the festival is also called the “festival of light” (light symbolise the goodness remains immortal). It is basically a five days festival starts from “Dhanteras” and ends with “Bhaiya Duj” with many customs, celebrations and  worships each day. This festival is celebrated with new clothes, spectacular firecrackers and a variety of sweets in the company of family and friends. All this illumination and fireworks, joy and festivity, signify the victory of divine forces over those of wicked. Diwali falls on a new moon day in the month of October or November. Since the precise moment of the new moon falls on different dates depending on geographical location, the date of Diwali also varies each year. There are so many aspects associated with Diwail. Let’s have a glimpse on that:

Spiritual aspect

People in India are really very spiritual and very conscious about celebrating each ritual. There are so many facts and spiritual things associated with Diwali. As-

Rangoli : Rangoli is an age old tradition in India which means making colourful expressions or designs using various colours. Rangoli is a Hindu folk art symbolically used for welcoming guests especially used during festival season. Rangoli contains many symols in it. Some common syombols are human figures, birds, flowers, swastik sign, leaves etc. set in geometrical figures like circles, rectangles, ovals, triangles. In most Hindu households, Diwali is celebrated by offering prayers to Goddess Lakshmi, the God of wealth so the rangolis of the feet of Goddess at the doorstep is a common symbol signifying the entrance of wealth and prosperity in the household.

Gambling : Reflecting tradition wrapped in modernity, playing cards is extremely popular on Diwali day. Although playing cards is illegal and not worthful at all, it is said that on playing cards, the goddess of wealth smile upon the player and ensures her goodwill. This practice gives fruit to the people who are really key players in this field, rest people’s fate turn into unfortune. The tradition of gambling on Diwali also has a legend behind it. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband Lord Shiva and she said that whosoever gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the year. Casinos and local gambling houses also make a huge money during Diwali week.

Importance of Dhanteras : Dhanteras or Dhan Teras marks the beginning of Diwali and is observed two days before Diwali. It is the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of Kartik Month (Hindu month) and is also known as Dhantra Yodashi. The importance of Dhanteras is that a new utensil or gold or silver is bought for the house so that it can be kept throughout the year.Many people begin the purchase for Diwali celebrations on this day. Crackers, candles, diyas, hatri, clays idols of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi, earthen katoris, kulris, and whole lot of other items needed for Diwali are purchased on this day.For those doing business, Dhanteras is the day when new account books are bought and kept ready for the Lakshmi puja on Diwali.

Why “Lakshmi Pujan” : The main festival day falls on the no-moon day of the dark half of Kartik, according to the Hindu lunar calendar. Celebrated with great joy by people of every religion, the magical effect of Diwali creates an atmosphere of joy and festivity. Innumerable lamps are lit on the roofs and windowsills of the houses, thus, giving a divine look to the whole scenario. It is said that Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth, roams the earth on this day and enters the house that is pure, clean and brightly illuminated. Therefore, people, before exchanging gifts and bursting crackers, offer prayers to the deity.

Crackers : Each year on the dark night of Diwali, Crackers of varied colors and sounds fill the skies heralding India's favourite festival. Diwali or Deepavali in Sanskrit means "a row of lamps" and fireworks have become a major part of Diwali celebrations. They form a big part of the Diwali budget in households. Firecrackers add to the festivities and as the rows of lamps glow one can hear the crackers go off and see the sparklers being waved by children and adults alike. It is advisable to crack pollution free and less sound making firecrackers.

Modern Diwali:  Now-a-days Diwali has taken its modern look. Indians are spread in all over the world so besides celebrating Diwali traditionally it is being celebrated in these ways also:

Sending Diwali Greeting Cards : Exchanging Diwali Greeting Card is one of the most popular way of exchanging Diwali greetings with loved ones. As Diwali is one the most important Hindu festivals people in India make efforts to send Diwali Greetings to all their near and dear ones and express their warm wishes for them. Sending Diwali Cards become especially desirable when ones wishes to send greetings to loved ones staying in different cities and countries. At that time Diwali Cards helps to strengthen and rejuvenate the bonds of love shared between people.

Diwali E-Cards : In the age of Internet, Diwali E-Cards are fast replacing paper Diwali Cards. This is because sending E-Cards is fast, instantat and cost effective way of sending greetings to dear ones. They are in various style, colours and designs and one can choose them from millions of options.

Resources : www.uniqueidea.net  www.123greetings.com www.diwalicards.com www.Deepavali-Cards.com

Sending Diwali SMS : After mobile revolution people enjoy sending text messages to their knowns. This is quick, cost effective, quick responiding and make the other person realise that you are there to remember him. Today’s time is such that if you do not get festival message from your friends or relatives, you feel like unattended. Mobile companies as well as differnet sites are avialable to make your work simpler by designing the best of the messages for your dear ones.

Resources
www.uniqueidea.net 

- ARUN ACHARYA