Diwali: The festival of lights and new beginnings

 

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. This five-day celebration, observed mainly in India and across the Indian diaspora, marks new beginnings, prosperity, and spiritual enlightenment. Homes are decorated with oil lamps, candles, and colorful rangolis, creating an atmosphere of warmth and light.

The festival commemorates various significant stories across Hindu mythology. Most prominently, it honors the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana. Diwali also has religious significance in Jainism, marking Lord Mahavira’s attainment of Nirvana, and in Sikhism, where it celebrates the release of Guru Hargobind from imprisonment.

People celebrate by cleaning and decorating their homes, performing prayers (pujas) for prosperity, sharing sweets, and lighting firecrackers. The festival also brings family and friends together in joyous celebration, symbolizing unity, peace, and the hope for brighter days.