It’s time for vibrant colours, eye-popping fireworks, twinkling lights and delicious food! Ready?
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Diwali is the festival of lights considered an homage to the defeat of darkness with light.
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Diwali falls in the hindu calendar month of Karthik, and to enjoy this festival of lights, which occurs on an amavasya (moonless night), firecrackers are lit and lights are placed on the walls and entrances of the houses.
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This festival commemorates the return of Rama and Sita to Ayodhya after his fourteen-year long exile.
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It is believed that to welcome them back, the residents of Ayodhya lit thousands of Diyas (clay lamps). That practice still continues.
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It is also believed that Lakshmi, the goddess of Wealth and prosperity, was born out of the great churning of the milk-sea, known as Samudra Manthan, on Diwali.
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The month of Karthik marks the end of harvest season in India and farmers offer their harvest to goddess Lakshmi for prosperity.
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Annakut is celebrated on the fourth day of Diwali which is the 1st day of the new year according to the Hindu calendar. It is a day of offering gratitude for Krishna beneficence with mounds of food in the shape of Govardhan mountain.
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Firecrackers and decorating with lamps and candles are an essential part of the celebration. Over the years, electrical lighting decorations has become one way to make elaborate decors.