Happy Diwali! Millions around the world are celebrating Diwali 2012 on Nov. 13. Hindus, Jains and Sikhs all celebrate this annual festival of lights.
The Diwali festival celebrates the victory of light over dark, good over evil and knowledge over darkness, according to the official Diwali 2012 website. Diwali is the name for the festival in North-India, but those in South-India celebrate "Deepavali".
Diwali starts two days before the New Moon in the month Ashvin and ends two days after New Moon in the month Kartika on the Hindu lunar calendar.
The Diwali festival takes place over five days. On the first day, called Dhanteras, people pray to Goddess Laxmi for prosperity and wealth.The second day is called Choti Diawli, or "small Diwali. On this day, it is believed that Lord Kirshna killed the evil demon Narakasura.
The third day is the actual day of Diwali. This is when people visit Temples to worship Lakshmi, the Goddess of beauty, wealth and wisdom with Laxmi Pooja. They also pray to Ganesh, the 'Lord of Beginnings' and 'Remover of Obstacles'. People also perform Aarti, in which oil lamps with a cotton wick are placed on a Puja Thali and offered to the gods. At night, people light up oil lamps called Diyas, Dipa Lights or Ghee lamps and decorate their house with them.
On this day, they also use colorful lanterns and fairy lights to decorate their homes and neighborhoods while fireworks light up the sky.
The day after, called Padwa, is said to be the day when Krishna defeated the god of rain and the heavens Indra. Krishna lifted Mount Govardhana to save people from downing in the floods. To honor this day, people cook mountains of food resembling Mount Govardhana.
The fifth and final day, called Bhaiduj, or Yama Dwitiya, is a day for siblings to become closer. On this day, Yami prayed for her brother Yama, so sisters pray for their brothers and brothers give gifts to their sisters.
Sikhs and Jains have other ways in which they celebrate Diwali.
It is common for families to get together and enjoy large meals and sweets during the Diwali celebration. Some also exchange Diwali greeting cards. Several Diwali fairs also take place in India and around the world.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
