Diwali : The Festival of Lights

India is a land of festivals. The Diwali or Deepawali is a famous Hindu festival. It falls in October-November, twenty days after the Dussehra festival. It is celebrated in the memory of Rama’s return to Ayodhya after an exile of fourteen years. People showed their joy by lighting the lamps.

Deepawali means a row of lights. This is the festival of light. Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after killing the king of Lanka – Ravan. The people welcomed him. They decorated their houses with earthen lamps. A few days before Diwali people whitewash their houses and shops. The houses are beautifully decorated during the festival times. The people buy sweets and specially decorated for the festival. The markets are crowded. The children buy toys and crackers.

In the evening, the people worship Lakshmi, the goddess of the wealth. Men, women and children enjoy at night when they light lamps. The people send Diwali greetings to their friends and relatives. They pray for a happy and prosperous life. Some people do not like the fire-works. They think that the wealth of the country should not be wasted and burnt to ashes like this.