Festivals

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Diwali: (October/November) 

A family festival, it is celebratedcomes about  20 days after Dussehra, on the 135th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin (October / November).

Deepawali or Diwali, the most pan-Indian of all Hindu festivals, is a festival of lights symbolising the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness.

The word Deepawali literally means rows of diyas (clay lamps).

This festival commemorates Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile. Another view is that Deepawali is meant to celebrate the destruction of the arrogant tyrant Bali at the hands of Vishnu when the latter appeared in his Vamana (dwarf) avatar.

Twinkling oil lamps or diyas light up every home and firework displays are common all across the country.

The goddess Lakshmi (consort of Vishnu), who is the symbol of wealth and prosperity, is also worshipped on this day.

This festive occasion also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year for Gujarati’s and some west Indian communities. (for Rajasthani’s, the new year begins on Gudi Padva day in March/April)and Lord

Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is worshipped in

most Hindu homes.

Houses across the country are scrubbed till they are spotlessly clean, and whitewashed with fresh white paint. To enhance their new look, they are decorated with bright paper lanterns, diyas and flowers, while the girls of the house embellish the aangan (courtyard) and walls with traditional aesthetic designs and patterns called rangolis. New clothes are bought and the family gathers together to offer prayers, distribute sweets and light up their homes. Crackers and fireworks illuminate the sky and people pray for a prosperous coming year.

In West Bengal, the Deepawali festival is celebrated as Kali Pooja and Kali, Shiva's consort is worshipped .