Diwali is the festival of light and it is celebrated all over the world. Though, Diwali is considered as one of the most important festival of India. Here we will discuss on the history of Diwali. Let us focus on how Diwali started.
The history of Diwali
Various parts of India and Nepal believe that Diwali is celebrated to win evil. The story goes that Ravana who was a demon was killed by Lord Rama. Lord Rama was a God. His wife was kidnapped by Ravana. Ravana was not liked by all. Gradually on a special day Lord Rama killed Ravana. So, everybody believes that good will always win over the bad. The history of Diwali stands on this story. On the other the other reason for the celebration is that Rama returned from exile after 14 years.
History says that Rama was sent to exile by his own father. He faced many problems there. He stayed there with his brother Laxmana and wife Sita. There Ravana kidnapped Sita. After long hardship, Rama along with his family could return to the palace. He became the King. So Diwali is also celebrated for this special reason. It also marks the homecoming of Rama. Rama returned to Ayodhya after 14 long years and people there was waiting for him eagerly. When he returned he was welcomed with lamps by the people of Ayodhya. So, the celebration of Diwali is marked with oil lamps. These lamps are traditionally called diyas. This is the reason why Diwali is the festival of lights. The other name of Diwali is Deepavali. Rows of lamps were used to welcome Rama and family. Hence, the festival got the name of Deepavali. Deep means lamp and avail means rows.
Diwali is celebrated on moonless night. In ancient India it was considered as the main harvest festival. As per Hindu mythology the 15th day of the dark fortnight in the Aswin month which is in October, Diwali is celebrated. The celebration for this festival is a 5 day long ceremony. The people belonging to the Hindu religion worship Lakshmi on this day. This shows that they welcome wealth and so they worship the lord of wealth on this day. The five days have five rituals to be followed on Diwali. The first day is the Naraka Chaturdashi. The day signifies the story of Narkasur and Lord Krishna. On this day it is believed that Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura. In all aspects the history of Diwali tells the story to kill evil.
The celebration of this festival is mainly done with lights. All the houses get decorated. People fast on this day to worship and pray. The puja generally takes place at night. It is the best time for home coming as the festival marks the home coming of Lord Rama. People meet and greet relatives and friends on this day. Wearing new clothes on the festival of Diwali is very common. Today this festival is celebrated across the globe. Gifts are exchanged on this day. The shopping malls get decorated. Everybody, the poor and the rich buy something new on this festival. The special dishes are cooked on this day. Sweet for Diwali is: Barfi, Jalebi, Rasmalai, Peda, gulab jamun and many more.
The gifts bought for Diwali and generally gold and silver. Silver coins are very common gifts for Diwali. The celebration differs at different places. But more or less the rituals are same all over. The festival is followed by Bhai Duj. This occasion marks the long life of the brothers by their sisters. Festivals are important as you get to meet your near and dear at this time. There are some or the other history behind all festival. You need to read mythology and ancient history to know the reason behind all festivals. As a part of the tradition people burst firecrackers on this day. This shows that Diwali ends evil. The firework represents Rama killing Ravana. It also represents the festival of light. Several fireworks are seen in the sky. The whole city gets lighted on this day. The young ones in the family meet the elders. They take blessing from the elders in the family on this day. People also start with new ventures on this day. This is an ideal day to make investments.
The history of Diwali
Various parts of India and Nepal believe that Diwali is celebrated to win evil. The story goes that Ravana who was a demon was killed by Lord Rama. Lord Rama was a God. His wife was kidnapped by Ravana. Ravana was not liked by all. Gradually on a special day Lord Rama killed Ravana. So, everybody believes that good will always win over the bad. The history of Diwali stands on this story. On the other the other reason for the celebration is that Rama returned from exile after 14 years.
History says that Rama was sent to exile by his own father. He faced many problems there. He stayed there with his brother Laxmana and wife Sita. There Ravana kidnapped Sita. After long hardship, Rama along with his family could return to the palace. He became the King. So Diwali is also celebrated for this special reason. It also marks the homecoming of Rama. Rama returned to Ayodhya after 14 long years and people there was waiting for him eagerly. When he returned he was welcomed with lamps by the people of Ayodhya. So, the celebration of Diwali is marked with oil lamps. These lamps are traditionally called diyas. This is the reason why Diwali is the festival of lights. The other name of Diwali is Deepavali. Rows of lamps were used to welcome Rama and family. Hence, the festival got the name of Deepavali. Deep means lamp and avail means rows.
Diwali is celebrated on moonless night. In ancient India it was considered as the main harvest festival. As per Hindu mythology the 15th day of the dark fortnight in the Aswin month which is in October, Diwali is celebrated. The celebration for this festival is a 5 day long ceremony. The people belonging to the Hindu religion worship Lakshmi on this day. This shows that they welcome wealth and so they worship the lord of wealth on this day. The five days have five rituals to be followed on Diwali. The first day is the Naraka Chaturdashi. The day signifies the story of Narkasur and Lord Krishna. On this day it is believed that Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura. In all aspects the history of Diwali tells the story to kill evil.
The celebration of this festival is mainly done with lights. All the houses get decorated. People fast on this day to worship and pray. The puja generally takes place at night. It is the best time for home coming as the festival marks the home coming of Lord Rama. People meet and greet relatives and friends on this day. Wearing new clothes on the festival of Diwali is very common. Today this festival is celebrated across the globe. Gifts are exchanged on this day. The shopping malls get decorated. Everybody, the poor and the rich buy something new on this festival. The special dishes are cooked on this day. Sweet for Diwali is: Barfi, Jalebi, Rasmalai, Peda, gulab jamun and many more.
The gifts bought for Diwali and generally gold and silver. Silver coins are very common gifts for Diwali. The celebration differs at different places. But more or less the rituals are same all over. The festival is followed by Bhai Duj. This occasion marks the long life of the brothers by their sisters. Festivals are important as you get to meet your near and dear at this time. There are some or the other history behind all festival. You need to read mythology and ancient history to know the reason behind all festivals. As a part of the tradition people burst firecrackers on this day. This shows that Diwali ends evil. The firework represents Rama killing Ravana. It also represents the festival of light. Several fireworks are seen in the sky. The whole city gets lighted on this day. The young ones in the family meet the elders. They take blessing from the elders in the family on this day. People also start with new ventures on this day. This is an ideal day to make investments.
