Diwali: A celebration to mark the Hindu New Year

Traditionally, 'Diwali' was called 'Deepavali', the former name emerged only to simplify pronouciation under the British rule (1757 - 1947).

Many of the residents began celebrating Diwali long before today, by putting up fairy lights and flowers around the outside of their homes and setting off fireworks.

Homes are also decorating with rangolis (coloured  powder patterns) which are normally reserved for Holi.

 

Diwali marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year according to the Lunar Calendar. ‘Deepavali’ translates literally to mean 'Row of Lights' (from Sanskrit: dipa = lamp / awali = row, line). It celebrates the victory of goodness over evil and light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, although the actual legends that go with the festival are different in different parts of India.

In northern India, Diwali celebrates Rama's return from fourteen years of exile to Ayodhya after the defeat of Ravana and his subsequent coronation as king. In Gujarat (where my grandparents grew up), the festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. In Nepal, Diwali commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king Narakaasura. In Bengal, it is associated with the goddess Kali.