Diwali is a festival celebrated in India and Nepal, representing the triumph of good over evil. It involves lighting strings of lights, exchanging gifts, and hosting dinners and parties. The holiday lasts five days and is celebrated differently in each community. It honors specific Hindu deities and is a great opportunity to experience Indian culture.
Diwali is a festival celebrated in India and Nepal. While it is especially sacred to Hindus, practitioners of other Indian religions also celebrate it, and Jain, Hindu, and Sikh communities around the world commemorate the holiday with smaller feasts. The timing of this festival varies, as it is based on the Hindu lunar calendar, but it is generally celebrated in autumn. Diwali festivities in India involve everyone, not just the religious faithful, and the festival is a major event in the Indian year.
The festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil; In Hindi, Diwali means ‘festival of lights’ and people light strings of lights to commemorate heroic figures from Indian mythology who have triumphed over the forces of evil. It is also an auspicious time for new endeavors and many people clean their houses and open all windows and doors to welcome luck and fortune during Diwali. The exchanging of gifts is also traditional during this holiday, and many people host dinners and parties.
Regional traditions vary immensely when it comes to celebrating Diwali because each community has developed their own unique way of celebrating this holiday. Technically, the holiday is actually five days long, and each day represents a different aspect of the festival of lights. In many communities, people choose a particular day of Diwali to celebrate, often with fireworks and other large public holidays.
Numerous myths and stories are associated with Diwali. Many of these myths revolve around the defeat of evil demons or the exoneration and freedom of unjustly oppressed people. The holiday also celebrates religious elevation and enlightenment. Many festivals also honor specific Hindu deities such as Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesha, the god of auspiciousness or new beginnings. In many regions of India, people also give each other traditional Diwali greetings when they meet on the street; these greetings express a mutual wish for good luck and fortune for the coming year.
If a person visits India during Diwali, they should be prepared to be swept up in festivities. Many communities have essentially been closed down for the celebrations and it is a great opportunity to experience Indian history and culture first hand. Many people are happy to share their religious and cultural traditions with curious and respectful visitors. Diwali is also quite fun, with fireworks, shows, dinners and other events for the celebrants. In other regions of the world, people may visit Indian communities to see smaller-scale festivals.
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