Diwali also called Deepawali is a festival of lights which signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil and hope over despair. It is an important festival for Hindus and celebrated throughout the country. Diwali is celebrated all over India especially in New Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and northern states of India. In many parts of India festival starts with “Dhanteras” followed by “Narka Chaturdasi” on 2nd day (chhoti diwali) & Diwali (bari diwali) on 3rd day. Similarly in eastern part of India most people worship “Kalimata Goddess “and starts the festival. Additionally, Diwali is the holy time in which people offer their prayers to Goddess Laxmi, Goddess of wealth & prosperity, bestowing these abundantly upon her devotees. Generally, Diwali is celebrated in India within October and mid November.
As per Hindu myth before Diwali night people start decorating their homes by lighting candles or lamps. On the day of Diwali, people wear new clothes, exchange gifts & sweets and wish family members and close friends. People celebrate this festival by lighting fire, crackers, fireworks which symbolize the removal of demon from their society. People visit Kali Mata temple or pandals to pray to Goddess.
On the same night the Hindus celebrates Diwali, Jains celebrates festival of lights to mark the attainment of “Moksha” by Mahavira and Sikhs similarly celebrate “Bondi Choor Divas”.