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Diwali, or Deepavali, is the Hindu festival of lights. It is celebrated in a big way in India. The term Deepavali is of Sanskrit origin, which means an array of lamps. The word 'deep' means clay lamp and 'avali' means an array. The celebration of the Diwali festival in India signifies the victory of good over evil within oneself. The word Diwali is actually a corruption of the Sanskrit term Deepavali. Today it is celebrated by Sikhs, Jains, Hindus, and even some Buddhists all around the globe.
When is Diwali this Year?
Many people ask when is Diwali this year. Many children even ask their parents with cheerfulness in their hearts about when is Diwali coming. Even friends and relatives living abroad are always curious to know when Diwali is coming. They hook up to the internet and even mark their calendars . They await the Diwali festival with a lot of eagerness and enthusiasm. This season, Diwali 2010 will be held on Friday 5th November.
Diwali is a festival of joy and celebration. On this day, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhaya along with Sita and Laxman to rule over the kingdom. People celebrate Diwali festival with gaiety and a lot of happiness and fervour. People also distribute sweets amongst one another and children enjoy bursting crackers and other fireworks along with their parents and other elders.As is with other festivals in India, Diwali 2010 is being eagerly awaited once again. On this Diwali festival, many online stores and online marts will stock a large variety of Diwali related gifts, sweets, apparel, toys, and many other items. Diwali 2010 promises to be a great event for Indians in the country and around the world as well. For Diwali 2010, you can get yourselves and your family a lot of gifts and other gracious items.
The Significance & Meaning of Diwali
The Diwali festival in India has a deep significance since ancient times. According to the Vedic culture, the message of Diwali is to eradicate the world from darkness and lead it towards the self-illuminated light within. Here, each individual is likened to a brightly lit clay lamp. The message is to collectively participate in the Endeavour, as it is not just the effort of one individual. The differences between the high and low are forgotten, as the aim is to usher in equanimity and equality in society.
Traditionally, the celebration of the Diwali festival in India is associated with a number of mythological events. In Northern India, Diwali is celebrated to rejoice the return of King Rama to his Kingdom Ayodhaya after a 14 year exile and victory over the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhaya light an array of clay lamps to celebrate his return.
In Southern India, another legend describes the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. In western India, it is celebrated in the honour of the King Bali who went to rule the nether world by the order of Lord Vishnu.
The Diwali festival in India has varied significance all over country and other parts of the world. During Diwali 2010, the festivities will be equally wide spread. In West Bengal, it is celebrated in honor of Goddess Durga. Particularly, in the north of India, Hindu merchants open their new books and pray to Goddess Laxmi for a joyful and prosperous new year. In most parts of India, people get up early before dawn on Diwali and pray to the Lord for their spiritual advancement.
The Festivities during Diwali
Additionally, Diwali festival in India is celebrated over a period of five days in many parts of the country. These days include Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhana Puja, and Bhai Dooj. On Dhanteras, which actually means the thirteenth day of the lunar month, people purchase utensils and gold as it is considered an auspicious occasion. On Naraka Chaturdashi, people commemorate the slaying of the demon Narakasura as it was the 14th day on which the demon was killed.
On Laxmi Puja, people worship Goddess Laxmi, who is considered the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Govardhan Puja is the worship of Lord Krishna, which is celebrated as the day on which Lord Krishna obtained victory over Lord Indra. In Gujarat, this day is also celebrated as the New Year, and the first day of the new Vikram Samavat. On Bhai Dooj, sisters meet brothers and vice versa and exchange presents and sweets to express their fondness and affection for each other.
Every one in the family gets up early in the morning and puts on new clothes. Especially on this day, children and parents alike burst crackers, make use of a variety of fireworks at night and light lamps to celebrate the occasion. It's a great joy to see crackers bursting and joyful people all around celebrating this festival with a lot of happiness and gaiety. On many occasions, even people of other faiths join together in celebrating this occasion as one.
On the occasion of Diwali 2010, people exchange a lot of gifts between each other. Families and friends alike give and accept gifts like sweets, puja thalis, dry fruits, homemade chocolates, diyas, candles, wall hangings, decor items, gift hampers, jewellery, apparel, bhai dooj gifts and so on.
The business community celebrates the festival by exchanging Diwali corporate gifts, gift hampers, designer gift boxes, pen sets, diaries, watches, perfumes, mobiles, and the like.
Nowadays, many Indians have settled abroad in countries like the United Sates, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries. Therefore, this Diwali festival is being celebrated by a lot of expatriates in the same graceful manner as it is celebrated on the home front.
