Diwali,
the popular festival of Indians, celebrates the return of Lord Rama
and Sita from exile. Diwali is also called as the festival of lights.
It usually falls between 15th October and 15th November. It is celebrated
because on that day hundreds of years ago lord ram returned home
to Ayodhya after 14 years of being into exile.
The word "Diwali", is the corruption of the Sanskrit word
"Deepavali" -- Deepa meaning light and Avali, meaning
a row. It means a row of lights and indeed illumination forms its
main attraction. Every home of the low or the mighty - the hut of
the poor or the mansion of the rich - is alit with the orange glow
of twinkling diyas-small earthen lamps - to welcome Lakshmi, the
goddess of wealth and prosperity. Multi-colored Rangoli (the design
of the background of this page is of rangoli, also people draw it
with rice flour on the entrance of their house) designs, floral
decorations and fireworks lend color and grandeur to this festival
which heralds joy, mirth and happiness in the ensuring year.
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