The Pan India Festival of Lights Also A Gifting Season

Diwali is a pan India festival and celebrated with a lot of fervor by everyone here. It is eagerly awaited by one and all for the fun and frolic it brings with it. In different parts of India, it is celebrated a little differently. In south India, it is celebrated for only one day but in the north, in many parts, it is a five-day festival. Yet the theme and mood remain the same all over and celebrations are no less exciting anywhere.

Etched in Memory

Many Indians have gone in search of green pastures and have settled down since many years on foreign soil. Whatever changes they would have made in their lifestyle and adapted themselves to the new culture, one thing most Indians have not forgotten is to celebrate this festival of lights- Diwali. It is etched in their memory. Also, another thing they do not forget is to send Diwali gifts to India to their near and dear ones each year.

Gifts Galore

Exchange of sweets amongst friends, relatives and all the near and dear ones is one of the rituals followed as part of the celebrations of this festival. Most people visit other people and carry gifts and sweets for them and wish each other well on this propitious day. Apart from this, the young are always enthusiastic to receive some kind of annual gifts from the elders. So what are the gifts that are usually preferred by the people? They may be anything from jewelry to apparels, to household items to soft toys. Apart from these, they accompany these gifts with chocolates, dry fruits, sweets, and even flowers and cakes.

Exciting Rituals and Festivities

You can say Diwali is one of the biggest gifting seasons in India. There is a bonanza of receiving and giving gifts apart from other festivities. These festivities may include, Lakshmi Pooja, bursting of crackers, lighting and placing Diyas in their patio, taking an oil bath among other activities. Everyone whether rich or poor dons new clothes and wishes the others well for their prosperity and long life. Many even visit temples to get the blessings from the Almighty on this auspicious day. Most temples are also seen to have a festive mood and look.

Strengthen Bond

During Diwali festivity is found everywhere and is widespread. This is also the time to invoke the goddess of wealth Lakshmi and all business houses perform this Pooja. The employees are also given gifts by the owners on this occasion. Festivities are not just confined to houses but most of the business houses also are in a festive mood. This festival of lights brings people together and helps strengthen the bonds too.

The online shopping stores are no less. They too are in a festive mood and have stocked up various kinds of gift items like flowers, cakes, dry fruits, sweets, along with combo gifts and gift hampers. Log in to these sites and pick the best gift and have it delivered to your near and dear ones to reach on or before the start of festivities.

Diwali – The Festival of Lights

‘Diwali’ or in other words ‘Deepavali’ is referred to as the Festival of Lights which is celebrated all over India. The festival falls each year during the month of October and Hindu month of Kartika Masam. It is a series of lighted lamps which is observed with optimum fun, joy and gaiety. During this auspicious occasion, people light up the entire property with ‘Diyas’ (oil lamp). They offer prayers to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Maha Laxmi to promote welfare, prosperity, wisdom and wealth.

Deepavali is considered to be one of the popular festivals of the Hindu community. It is declared as an official holiday in countries like India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Mauritius and Malaysia. People begin to send Diwali gifts to India to express their affection and love towards their fellow beings.

Diwali is commemorated to indicate the return of Lord Rama after fourteen years of exile. The auspicious event represents the triumph of light over darkness. According to the Gregorian calendar, the festival falls during the month of mid-October and mid-November. Prior to the commencement of the main event, people begin to clean, renovate and decorate the property, workplaces. On the final day, the celebrants are spotted wearing the finest costumes and offering prayers to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Maha Laxmi. The celebration extends for a period of about four days.

Origin of Diwali

Diwali traces its roots back to the ancient times. It was considered to be a harvest festival during those periods. In West Bengal, the auspicious event is dedicated to Mother Kali who is regarded as the Goddess of strength. The first day symbolizes the victory of Lord Krishna in vanquishing the demon Naraka. The second day (Amavasya) represents offering prayers to Goddess Maha Lakshmi. It narrates the story of Lord Maha Vishnu who defeated the cruel and oppressive ruler of Bali and sends him to hell. However, Bali is permitted to visit the planet Earth once in a year to disseminate love and wisdom.

The third day which is Kartika Shudda Padyami signifies that Bali comes out from the hell and rule the planet Earth. The final and fourth day is Yama Dvitiya where the sisters request their brothers to visit the homes. The age-old tradition of gambling during this festival has a hidden legend. There is a common belief amongst the people that Goddess Parvati involved in playing dice with her partner. She proclaimed that whoever gambled during this major event would attain wealth, prosperity and wisdom throughout the year.

Importance of Lights and Crackers

Both interiors and exteriors are illuminated with lights and firecrackers. The sound of crackers indicates joy, the enthusiasm of the people living on the planet Earth. The fumes exuded from the firecrackers are believed to exterminate insects such as mosquitoes.
Diwali is a major event where changes are made for the forthcoming year.