Deepawali - it's meaning in Sanskrit is - a row of lamps. It is one of the popular festival which is celebrated in most regions of the India. Filling little clay lamps with oil and wicks and lighting then in rows all over the houses is the main attraction of this festival. This tradition is being followed sinces ages and even today in this modern world it projects the rich and glorious part of our country and teaches us to uphold the true values of life.



Diwali has many legends and relegious accounts to it. Lights and diyas are lit to signifying the drive away of darkness and ignorance as well as the awakening of the light within ourselves. It's a time for family gatherings, food, celebration and pooja. The goddess Laxmi palys a major role in this festival, as do Ram and Sita. This autumn festival is celebrated for five continious days, of which each one has its own significance.



Houses and Corporate offices are renovated and decorated, entrances are made colorful with lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her long awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder (kumkum) all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights.



The house is kept clean and rangoli is drawn at the doorstep to welcome Goddess Laxmi. For the best time for puja, a pandit is consulted. The general things needed for a diwali puja are silver and gold coins, suparis, uncooked Rice, paan leaves, kumkum for applying tilak, mithaai (Indian sweets), camphor, agarbattis (incense sticks), dry fruit (almonds, cashews), flower petals and Lakshmi-Ganesh icon.



Deepavali Pooja is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lit to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. Bhajans are sung in praise of the goddess and sweets are offered to her.


And without fireworks ... this festival is not completed....



Wishing you all a HAPPY and PROSPEROUS DEEPAWALI
on
21 October 2006