Diwali is known as ‘Deepavali’ is festival of lights. The biggest and brightest festival amongst all the festivals of Hindus in India and in the world is Diwali.  Diwali of this year, i.e. 2014 will appear on Thursday, 23^rd October.

Significance of Diwali :

Diwali is a five-six days festival with different myths and is celebrated with different customs and rituals. Each day has a unique myth and different Gods & Goddesses are worshipped on each day.

Dates and Days of Diwali Festival:

The first day of Diwali festival is Dhanteras and last day is Bhaiya Dooj. Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Saraswati are worshipped during this festival by the devotees check diwaliblog for more ideas. Diwali is a festival that marks the victory of good over evil .  When Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Demon Ravana, with his wife Sita and younger brother Laxman, the villagers lighted up the town with earthen lamps  fuelled with oil to mark their king’s victory over wicked Ravana.

20^th October, 2014: Dwadashi, Govatsa Dwadashi, Vasu Baras

21^th October, 2014: Trayodashi, Dhantrayodashi, Dhanteras, Dhanvantari Trayodashi, Yama Deepam

Dhanteras is day when the devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and Lord Kuber for money who is believed to be the treasurer of wealth

22^nd October, 2014: Chaturdashi, Kali Chaudas, Hanuman Puja, Narak Chaturdashi

Lord Krishna conquered demon Naraka and the day of the festival is known as Naraka Chaturdasi.

23^rd October, 2014: Amavasya, Lakshmi Puja, Diwali Puja, Bengal Kali Puja, Diwali Snan, Diwali Devpuja

This day is known as Kartika Suddha Padyami as Lord Vishnu conquered tyrant Bali.

24^th October, 2014: Pratipada, Govardhan Puja, Annakut Bali Pratipada, Gujarati New Year

It is the New Year for the Hindus acoording to the lunar based Hindu calendar.

25^th October, 2014: Dwitiya, Bhaiya Dooj, Bhau Beej, Yama Dwitiya

Yama Dvitya is the day when sisters pray for the well being of their brothers to Goddess Yama.

Diwali Celebrations:

Diwali is a day when people worship Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity. Devotees also worship Lord Ganesha for good health and well being.  Processions are lead by people across the streets holding Goddess Lakshmi’s picutres and statues. Houses are decorated with earthen lamps and colorful lights and torans made up of mango leaves and  marigold flowers. Rangolis are also made by girls and women on the floor of the entrance of the houses.  All people wear new clothes and perform some rituals to celebrate the festival with top quotes for deepavali. Gambling is also a tradition of the festival. Evenings are very enjoyable as kids along with elders enjoy bursting crackers and lighting up fireworks in the sky. At night the sky gets filed with artificial stars glittering all around as millions of fireworks can be seen.  People exchange Gifts  and  distribute sweets to each other.