Lights and diyas, crackers and sparklers, feasts and sweets, and of course, card games with a bit of gambling thrown in are all a quintessential part of Diwali celebrations.
Why it is celebrated
The roots of this Hindu festival lie in the Ramayana which relates to the story of Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after not just 14 years of exile but also after annihilating Ravana, the evil king of Lanka. As the day Rama was to returning in triumph to Ayodhya was a dark moonless night of amavasya, residents lit up the entire city with diyas to help Him find his way back home safely. And lighting up homes with a myriad, twinkling lights is a tradition that has come down centuries and lends Diwali that special magical appeal.
But although Diwali commemorates the victory of good over evil, on this day devotees also pray to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of auspicious beginnings.
Enveloping people from all faiths into its fold, Diwali also holds special significance for Jains who believe that Lord Mahavira attained moksha on this day. Sikhs celebrate the festival to commemorate the release of their sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, who had been imprisoned by Mughal Emperor Jehangir in Gwalior for about 12 years.
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How it is celebrated
from
via Lonely Planet India
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