Facts About Diwali / Deepavali
- Sanskrit word Deepavali means an row of lights
that stands for victory of brightness over darkness. - Diwali is considered the national festival of
India. - Diwali signifies the renewal of life. Homes are
thoroughly cleaned on Diwali. - In north India, Diwali celebrates Rama’s return
from fourteen years of exile to Ayodhya after the
defeat of Ravana. It is celebrated with the pooja of
goddess Laxmi. - In South India, Diwali commemorates the victory
of the divine over the mundane. - For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of Moksha
by the Lord Mahavira. - In Nepal Diwali commemorates the victory of Lord
Krishna over the demon king Narakaasura. - In Bengal, it is celebrated with the pooja of
goddess Kali.
Sikh celebrates Diwali as the day
when their sixth Guru, Guru Har Govind ji came back
from the captivity of the fort of Gwalior city. It
is beleived that the foundation stone of the Golden
Temple at Amritsar was laid on Diwali in 1577. - Govardhan Puja is celebrated the day after
Diwali. It is the day Lord Krishna defeated Indra. - Diwali is not only festival of lights, but also
marks the beginning of the Hindu new year.