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India is a land of festivities. Throughout
the year something is held in the
country. Diwali is one of the most
popular festivals in the country held
every year immediately after Durga
Pujas in Bengali dominated states
like West Bengal and Tripura. Diwali
being a national festival, in West
Bengal, Assam, Tripura etc in some
other states it is celebrated as Kali
Puja. In Orissa, Diwali is celebrated
as Bali Yatra Festival.
Now let's highlight about the origination
of Diwali Celebrations. There are
various Indologists who have performed
research work on the festival. They
have analyzed the festival from a
different angle. Still we will try
our level best to throw some insight
into the subject. As per our Hindu
Mythological Scriptures, we find from
Ramayana, Diwali celebrations signify
the return of Ram, who is the new
creations of Lord Vishnu. Ram returned
home after a 14 year exile with Sita
and Lakshman. Ram was in a 14 year
exile due to the killing of Ravan,
known for ferocious nature. To celebrate
the return of Ram, the people of Ayodhya
decorated the city with earthen diyas(
meaning oil lamps) and with fireworks.
This way the celebrations came to
be known as Diwali.
In rural belt, Diwali is rated as
the Festival of Harvest. Diwali is
always celebrated every year after
the end of the cropping season. The
'Harvesting Season' means the season
of prosperity. When the harvesting
season is complete, there is a feeling
of joy and ecstasy among the farmers.
There is historical evidence pertaining
to Diwali celebrations.
During the tenure of Emperor Prithu,
a worldwide famine took place. He
ordered all lands untouched, to be
cultivated with crops of different
pattern. It depends totally on the
Rain God to be kind on the farmers.
There was a time when Lord Krishna
destroyed Narakasur just on the eve
of Diwali. The news passed on to everybody.
It made the people joyful to celebrate
Diwali with pride and joy.
Another characteristic feature of
Diwali is the decoration of lights
and bursting of colorful crackers.
This is done throughout India. Also
we find everybody irrespective of
any age groups, wear new dresses.
Even in some parts of the country
the celebrations take place as Lakshmi
Puja, Dhanteras etc several regional
Pujas providing the celebrations with
new life and vibrancy. The people
from all walks of life participate
in this festival. There is no religious
bigotry in this festival.
Devotees pray at the pedestal of
Goddess Lakshmi, may the new season
and year becomes prosperous and peaceful.
For further details about India festivals
in different parts of the globe, please
browse at .
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