Diwali, or Dipawali, is India's biggest and most important festival of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians.
Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival that's also
enjoyed by non-Hindu communities. For instance, in Jainism, Diwali marks the
nirvana, or spiritual awakening, of Lord Mahavira on October 15, 527 B.C.; in
Sikhism, it honors the day that Guru Hargobind Ji, the Sixth Sikh Guru, was
freed from imprisonment. Buddhists in India celebrate Diwali as well.
Significance of Diwali Or Deepavali
During the festival of
Diwali, people light up their homes and commercial outlets. Lord Ganesh is
worshipped for prosperity and welfare whereas Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for
wisdom and wealth. The festival usually falls in the months of November or
October and is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama from 14 years of
exile. In many parts of the country, the festival is celebrated for five
consecutive days. Undoubtedly, it is the most famous Indian festival, which is
regarded as a celebration of life. In a few parts of the country, the festival
denotes the beginning of the New Year. Deepavali is a five-day festival that
goes as mentioned below:
·
The first day denotes
the arrival of the new financial year for most Indian businesses. The business
class worships Goddess Lakshmi for wealth.
·
The second day is the
day of cleansing. People take oil baths and wear new clothes.
·
The third day is the
day of the new moon. It is the official day of the Deepavali holiday.
·
The fourth day is the
Kartika Shudda Padyami.
·
The fifth day, the
final day of the festival, denotes the love between sisters and brothers.
How is
Deepavali/Diwali Celebrated?
The celebration
of the festival lasts for up to five days. Houses and shops will be cleaned and
decorated with small clay lamps lit with oil or with electric lights. People exchange
sweets. Fairs will be organised in many villages and towns. The festival is
celebrated on different dates in various regions of the country since
traditional lunar calendars may be interpreted in various ways. For instance,
in Tamil Nadu, people celebrate Deepavali in Aippasi, a Tamil month.
Public Life
during Diwali Holidays
On the festival
day, banks, post offices, and government offices will remain closed. Commercial
outlets may be closed or have reduced working hours. Transport remains unaffected.
Symbols of The Festival of Lights
The most important
symbols of the festival include electric lights and tiny oil lamps made of
clay. They replicate both spiritual and physical elements of light.
Top Five Indian Destinations to Spend Diwali
Holidays
If you are planning a
trip during Deepavali holidays in 2021, consider the following top five Indian
destinations that bring out the best of the festival:
· Jaipur: Jaipur is the most renowned destination
to be visited during Diwali holidays every year. The real beauty of Deepavali
stems from the warm glow of lamps and lights that decorate homes, shops, and
streets. Jaipur, the Pink City, is the best place to experience this. Every
year, competitions are organised for decorating the streets of the city.
· Goa: Goa, the smallest Indian state, is famous for
Diwali celebrations as well. The focus of celebrations will be on the
destruction of the demon Narakasura. In every city and village, competitions
are organised to see who can make the largest figurine of the demon. Since
gambling is also a famous Diwali activity, you can try your luck at casinos.
·
Varanasi: Varanasi is a lovely Indian destination
to spend Diwali holidays for the year 2021. Make sure you stay at one of the
riverside restaurants in the city of Varanasi to experience the real beauty of
the festival. The main highlights of the festival include special Ganga Aarti
and earthen lamps.
· Kolkata: While many people worship Goddess
Lakshmi on Diwali, the main day of the festival is celebrated as Kali Puja in Kolkata, the capital city of
West Bengal. Many devotees across the country visit Belur Math, Kalighat, and
Dakshineswar, which are the Kali temples in the city.
· Delhi: Delhi, the capital city of India, is
famous for shopping during Diwali holidays. Dilli Haat organises a well-known
Diwali Bazaar. If you are interested in unique handicrafts, Delhi should be
visited to spend during Diwali holidays 2021.
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