Diwali all over India

Diwali festival in India is celebrated all over India on the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin (Aasho) (October / November) every year. Throughout the country every city, town and village is turned into a fairy land with millions of electric light, candles and oil lamps illuminating homes. People wear new apparel, consume a rich and sumptuous feast and burst crackers. The celebration of Diwali festival all over India is looked upon mainly as the beginning of New Year. It is also celebrated as the festival of unity. The hut of the poor or the mansion of the rich - every house is alit with the glow of twinkling diyas-small earthen lamps - to welcome Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Diwali clebration in India is synonymous to multi-coloured Rangoli designs, floral decorations and fireworks and happiness. Take a tour of India to know about the Diwali celebrations throughout India.

Diwali in South India
The celebration of Diwali as Narakachaturdasi is prevalent in South India. They have some unique rituals regarding Diwali celebration. The Diwali celebration in South India begins with early morning bathe and ends with crackers in the evening.

Diwali in Krisna Temples
Diwali (Deepavali) is the one Hindu festival that unites the whole of India. Diwali (Deepavali) is the one Hindu festival that unites the whole of India. Most of the Krishna temples celebrate Diwali with keenness. Diwali celebration In Krishna temples is often done in honour of Lord Rama's return in Ayodhya .

Regional Significance of Diwali
The 5 days long Hindu festival, Diwali is celebrated by different communities in India.The uniqueness of this festival is it signifies different things to different communities. Inspite of the different significances of diwali , common point is, it is celebrated as the festival of joy and happiness.

Diwali Around the World
Diwali across the world is also celebrated with fun and frolic. Outside India mainly in Guyana, Fiji, Malaysia, Nepal, Mauritius, Myanmar, Singapore, Srilanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Britain, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Africa, and Australia the Hindus celebrate Diwali. Places as far as Southern America have record of celebrating Diwali. Here is a picture of Diwali celebration around the world.

Hindu Festival Diwali
Goddess laxmi, the symbol of wealth and prosperity and Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is worshipped in most Hindu homes on this day.

Celebration of Diwali in rural India In rural areas of India, the Hindu festival Diwali signifies Harvest Festival. The farmers celebrate Diwali with joy and offered praises to God for granting them a good crop.

Diwali Celebration by the Jains
Diwali is a very important day for the Jains. On this day, Kartika Krishna 14, (dawn of the amavasya) during the swati nakshatra, Lord Mahavira attained Nirvana, which is to achieve a state of absolute bliss. The Lord discarded the body and the bondage of all Karmas on that night, at Pavapuri and attained Mukti or deliverance.

Celebrations of Diwali festival by the Sikhs
The Shikhs celebrate Diwali as the return of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji from the captivity of the city, Gwalior. History states two commonly known reasons for his imprisonment. To commemorate his undying love for Sikhism, the townspeople lit the way to, Harmandhir Sahib (referred to as the Golden Temple), in his honor.

Diwali celebrations in Bengal
In Kolkata, the horrific and magnificent Goddess Kali is worshipped on this day. It is also believed that it is the night of the 'Pitris' (ancestors) and lamps are lit on long poles to guide their souls on this night.

Diwali Celebrations take place everywhere in India, at dusk .The beautiful scene of spectacular illumination of tiny flickering lamps adorning in rows - at homes, buildings and streets, fireworks are its attractions. People visit the places of their relatives and friends to wish them on the occasion of Diwali and exchange gifts. All this illumination and fireworks, joy and festivity, is to signify the victory of divine forces over those of wickedness.