Diwali:

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, usually lasting five days and celebrated during
the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika (between mid-October and mid-November).
One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali symbolizes the spiritual
"victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance".
The festival is widely associated with Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity, but regional
traditions connect it to Sita and Rama, Vishnu, Krishna, Durga, Kali, Dhanvantari,
or Vishvakarman.

In the lead-up to Diwali, celebrants will prepare by cleaning, renovating, and

decorating their homes and workplaces. During the climax, revelers adorn
themselves in their finest clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of their
homes with diyas (oil lamps or candles), offer puja (worship) to Lakshmi, the
goddess of prosperity and wealth, light fireworks, and partake in family feasts,
where mithai and gifts are shared. Diwali is also a major cultural event for the
Hindu and Jain diaspora from the Indian subcontinent.
  History:-
Diwali is called the Festival of Lights and is celebrated to honor Rama-Chandra,
the seventh avatar. It is believed that on this day Rama returned to his people
after 14 years of exile during which he fought and won a battle against the
demons and the demon king, Ravana. Millions of Hindus around the world
celebrate Diwali with gift exchanges, fireworks and festive meals. People try to
pay off their old debts, make or buy new clothes and thoroughly clean their
houses as part of the festival preparations. House exteriors are whitewashed and
sometimes decorated with designs drawn in white rice flour and filled in with
color. Buildings are traditionally illuminated with oil-burning bowls called dipa
lights, or more recently, with strings of artificial lights. People spend time with
their friends and family.

 Days of Diwali:
The Diwali festival actually runs for five days, (In 2020, Diwali is on
November 14) with the main event happening on the third day in most places
in India. It's associated with Lord Ram's return to his kingdom in Ayodhya after
exile and rescuing his wife from demon king Ravan on Dussehra. However, in
south India, the festival is observed as the defeat of Narakasura. It's a one-day
celebration, known as Deepavali, that usually falls a day before the main Diwali
date but sometimes occurs on the same day (when the lunar days overlap). The
festival isn't celebrated in Kerala though. Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of good
fortune and prosperity, is the primary deity worshiped during Diwali. Each day has
a special significance as follows.
First Day:
The first day (November 12, 2020) is known as Dhanteras. "Dhan" means
wealth and "teras" refers to the 13th day of a lunar fortnight on the Hindu
calendar. Lord Dhanvantari, the Hindu god of medicine and an incarnation of Lord
Vishnu, is said to have brought Ayurveda and the nectar of immortality to
mankind on this day. Gold and other metals are traditionally purchased. People
also gather to play cards and gamble, as it's thought to be auspicious and will
bring wealth throughout the year.

Second day:
The second day (November 13, 2020) is known as Naraka Chaturdasi or
Chhoti Diwali. "Naraka" means hell and "Chaturdashi" means 14th day of a lunar
fortnight on the Hindu calendar. Goddess Kali and Lord Krishna are believed to
have destroyed the demon Narakasura on this day. Demon effigies are burned in
Goa in celebration.

Third Day:
The third day (November 14, 2020) is the new moon day known as
Amavasya. This darkest day of the month is the most significant day of the Diwali
festival in north and west India. Lakshmi is worshiped on this day, with a special
puja performed in the evening.
Fourth Day:
The fourth day (November 15, 2020) has various meanings across India. In
north India, Govardhan Puja is celebrated as the day when Lord Krishna defeated
Indra, the god of thunder and rain. In Gujarat, it's celebrated as the start of a new
year. In Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the victory of Lord Vishnu over
demon king Bali is celebrated as Bali Pratipada or Bali Padyami.

Fifth Day:
The fifth day (November 16, 2020) is known as Bhai Duj. It's dedicated to
celebrating sisters, in a similar way that Raksha Bandhan is dedicated to brothers.
Brothers and sisters get together and share food, to honor the bond between
them.

 Firecrackers of Diwali:
Firecrackers and Diwali have a very deep connection. Firecrackers enhance the
illumination of the festival many fold. Like in chisrtmas people party, dance; go for
dinners do whatever they can to keep happy. In Diwali people enjoy themselves
by giving sweets, bursting crackers being with family.
  Rangoli:

During the five days of celebration, people decorate their home with rangoli, a
colorful artwork made with rice powder. Rangoli powder comes in many colors
and the porch of one’s home is decorated with beautiful designs. It is is another
way to ring in the festive spirit.

In Which Country are Celebrate the Diwali:

1. INDIA:

It is the most enthusiastically celebrated festival in India — which is saying a lot!

Diwali is the equivalent of Christmas, a big, festive celebration that brings families
together and is the highlight of the holiday season. There are five days of
festivities, each marked with different puja and rituals, and people send Diwali
wishes to each other.
 2. MALAYSIA:

Unlike in India, Diwali in Malaysia is called Hari Diwali and the rituals are a little
different from those followed in India. The day starts with people bathing in oil
and then offering their prayers at various temples. Since the sale of crackers is
banned in Malaysia, they celebrate by exchanging gifts, sweets and good wishes.

3. NEPAL:

Diwali is known as Tihar in Nepal and is celebrated with much enthusiasm here.
Since Nepal shares its border with India, the excitement is somehow bound to
transfer across boundaries, we guess.

4. SRI LANKA:

Sri Lanka has a huge Hindu population, and thus Diwali is celebrated here with
much fanfare too. Its proximity to India and the role it plays in the origin of the
festival of Diwali is another reason why it is celebrated with so much excitement
here.
 5. SINGAPORE:

If there is one place outside India where Diwali fever is at its peak, it is Little India
in Singapore. The vivid rangolis, extensive decoration and the entire feel of the
festivities are a sight to behold.

6. UNITED KINGDOM:

Many cities in the UK, especially Birmingham and Leicester celebrate Diwali at a
large scale because of the huge Indian community settled there. The festivities
are almost as elaborate as in India, if not the same.

 Cloth Tradition:-
Appropriate attire is both traditional and trendy. Women wear elegant sarees
made from a variety of materials, such as silk, crepe, chiffon and velvet. Men
dress in classic but contemporary kurta and dhoti. Young girls wear brightly
decorated costumes called lehengas.
  Diwali Food:-
Mithai, Chirote, Barfi, Karanji, Samosa, Mawa Kachori, Laddoos, Lapsi. Kaju Katli,
Soan Papdi. Gajar Halwa, Gulab Jamun, Dahi Bhalla.

1. Mithai:

This is a name for all of the Indian sweets and desserts. While sweets are an
important part of the culture all year round there are a number of specialty Diwali
mithai for the festival.

2. Chirote:

This Diwali food is a light and flaky dessert pastries. Chirote are stuffed with a
sugary filling, deep fried, and usually served drizzled with syrup. You can’t go
wrong with fried and sweet!
 3. Barfi:

Creamy sweets that can be served by themselves or with a selection of other

mithai. Barfi are a white creamy square made with condensed milk, sugar and
nuts. They are cooked together until they solidify then cut into squares.

4. Karanji:

Small pastry pockets that are stuffed with poppy seeds, grated coconut, sugar,
nuts and cardamom. Crescent shaped similar to empanadas, karanji take quite a
bit of time to prepare, which is why they are often reserved for special occasions
such as Diwali.

5. Samosa:

These traditional Indian snacks are common around the region during Diwali.
Samosas are small pockets of pastry, usually shaped into a triangle, stuffed with
minced meat, peas, lentils and other vegetables.
 6. Mawa Kachori:

Mawa is a thick dried milk product common in the area of Rajasthan where these
desserts originate. These small pastries are stuffed with a combination of mawa,
nuts, and cardamom sugar and often drizzled with syrup to serve.

7. Laddoos:

Another Diwali food prepared in the Indian subcontinent are laddoos. These are
ball shaped sweets made with chickpea flour, wheat semolina and coconut.
Laddoos are cooked with ghee, while some variants will stuff these balls with
pistachios or almonds.

8. Lapsi:

A common fruit in Nepal, this is often candied and shared with friends and family
during the Diwali festival, particularly in its native Nepal, with the fruits
themselves being around an inch in diameter with a tart, sour flesh which is
white, with a green and brown skin.