Diwali is a festival of lights
Description:
There are several legends associated with the holiday. Vishnuites link the beginning of the celebration of Diwali with the coronation of Prince Rama, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu. On the night of his happy enthronement, illuminations were arranged throughout the country.
According to another version, the wise reign of Rama marked the deliverance from spiritual darkness. The lights symbolize the return of humanity from darkness to light thanks to the legendary prince.
In each district of India, the celebration of Diwali has its own characteristics. For some parts of the country and population groups (e.g., West Indian trading communities), Diwali coincides with the start of the New Year. Merchants on this day put in order the books, clean the shops. In the evening, shops and houses are illuminated with oil lamps or garlands of light bulbs.
In most of India, Diwali is dedicated to the goddess of wealth and fertility, Lakshmi, the wife of God Vishnu. The houses are carefully cleaned, all the lights are lit, as the Goddess does not like the dark, they turn to her with prayer, bring her milk, in which coins are lowered, and at night leave the doors and windows open so that it is easier for her to enter the house.
In the South of India, Diwali celebrates the victory of God Krishna over the demon Narakasura. On this day, the victory of good over evil, the Hindus abundantly smear themselves with coconut oil, which cleanses them of sins, since this ceremony is considered equal in value to ablution in the sacred Ganges.
In the East of India, and especially in Bengal, Diwali is dedicated to the worship of the black Goddess Kali, personifying the cult of power. On this occasion, before the images of the Goddess, prayers are performed for ten days, and then these images are immersed in the waters of rivers or ponds.
Diwali is also celebrated by Muslims who celebrate the arrival of Lakshmi with lights and a game of cards and dice, because Lakshmi brings good luck.
On this festival of light, the streets of cities and villages are lit up with thousands of lights and fireworks. The air is shaken by explosions of rockets, firecrackers and firecrackers.