Diwali is often considered the most important festival to people of the hindu faith.

Temples, homes and

business burn brightly with lights and candles during the celebration. Fireworks fill the air. People wear
colorful new clothes, prepare tasty dishes and usher in the Hindu New year with music, gifts and happy hearts.

The term Diwali comes from the sanskrit word Deepavali meaning “an array of lights”. Diwali symbolizes the
victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The holiday is celebrated differently in different regions of
India, influenced by the cultures of that region. Light is a symbol of peace on earth and love of one’s fellow
man, The various tales of Diwali reflect this and the symbol is used to remind people of the importance of
always being kinds, generous, wise and hopeful.

Diwali in history
The history of Diwali is replete with legends and these legends are moored to the stories of Hindu religious
scriptures, mostly the Puranas. Though the central theme of all legends point out to the classic truth of the
victory of the good over the evils, the mode of their presentation and the characters differ. Diwali, being the
festival of lights, lighting the lamp of knowledge within us means to understand and reflect upon the
significant purpose of each of the five days of festivities and to bring those thoughts in to the day to day
lives.

The five day of Diwali

Indians follow a lunar calendar. Each month begins with the new moon and lasts until the next new moon, The
month is 29 and half days long. Diwali falls in the month of kartika. The first day of Diwali is called
Dhanvantari Triodasi also called Dhan Theras. The second day of Diwali is called Narak Chaturdasi. It is the
fourteenth lunar day (thithi) of the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik and the eve of Diwali. On this day
Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear. The third day of Diwali is
the actual Diwali. This is the day when worship for Mother Lakshmi is performed. On the fourth day of Diwali,
Goverdhan Pooja is performed. The fifth day of the diwali is called Bhratri Dooj. It is a day dedicated to
sisters.

Hindu Mythology
The Story of Rama and Sita: Lord Rama was a great warrior King who was exiled by his father Dashratha,
the King of Ayodhya, along with his wife Sita and his younger brother Lakshman, on his wife's insistence. Lord
Rama returned to his Kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, in which he put an end to the demon Ravana of
Lanka, who was a great Pundit, highly learned but still evil. After this victory of Good over Evil, Rama returned
to Ayodhya. In Ayodhya, the people welcomed them by lighting rows of clay lamps. So, it is an occasion in honor
of Rama's victory over Ravana; of Truth's victory over Evil.

The Defeat of Narkasur by Lord Krishna: Lord Vishnu in his 8th incarnation as Krishna destroyed the demon
Narkasura, who was causing great unhappiness amongst the people of the world. Narkasura was believed to be a
demon of filth, covered in dirt. He used to kidnap beautiful young women and force them to live with him.
Eventually, their cries for rescue were heard by Vishnu, who came in the form of Krishna. First, Krishna had to
fight with a five-headed monster who guarded the demon's home. Narkasura hoped that his death might bring
joy to others. Krishna granted his request and the women were freed. For Hindus, this story is a reminder that
good can still come out of evil.

Krishna and The Mountain: In the village of Gokula, many years ago, the people prayed to the God Indra. They
believed that Indra sent the rains, which made their crops, grow. But Krishna came along and persuaded the
people to worship the mountain Govardhan, because the mountain and the land around it were fertile. This did
not please Indra. He sent thunder and torrential rain down on the village. The people cried to Krishna to help.
Krishna saved the villagers by lifting the top of the mountain with his finger. The offering of food to God on
this day of Diwali is a reminder to Hindus of the importance of food and it is a time for being thankful to God
for the bounty of nature.

The hindu holiday of lights provides an opportunity to remember that peace and the light of understanding are
more important today than ever before as technology breaks down distances and brings people closer than
ever before.