New Delhi: With Navratri and Dussehra coming to an end, people have started gearing up for the next big festival which is Diwali. Also known as the festival of lights, this festival marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Laxman, after spending fourteen years in exile. The five-day celebration represents the triumph of light over darkness. Every Indian household gets ready for Diwali in the customary, age-old manner, and celebrates the occasion as per traditions.
The rituals and traditions associated with Diwali are listed below:
1. Rangoli:
Diwali preparations start months in advance and include deep cleaning homes, carrying out repairs, and getting rid of unnecessary stuff. This is because it is believed that Goddess Laxmi enters clean houses. Apart from this beautiful coloured patterns and designs are created at the doors to welcome the goddess. These designs are created using rice flour, colours, flowers etc. The rangoli decoration used during Diwali is believed to bring luck.
2. Lighting Diyas (Oil-lamps):
An oil lamp known as a "Diya," is used to light up homes during the Diwali celebration as it represents wealth and hope. Diyas are handmade using clay and are frequently painted in brilliant hues. People burn diyas at Diwali to dispel the darkness of the night centering the new moon. One of the most important rituals in the Diwali festivities is the lighting of the diyas since Diwali is also known as "Deepavali," which means a row of lights.
3. Laxmi-Ganesh Puja:
The heart of this occasion is the Ganesh-Laxmi puja. Households perform Laxmi puja to welcome prosperity, and prayers are offered to Lord Ganesha to signify an auspicious beginning.
4. Burning crackers:
Spectacular firework displays are held throughout Diwali since it is the festival of lights. All throughout India and many other places around the world, they illuminate the night sky. Following celebrations and feasts on the third day of the festival, these displays often take place in the evening. Different coloured crackers fill up the sky and along with them, hot air balloons also make the sky look gorgeous.
5. Traditional Diwali sweets:
Traditional dishes play a significant role in the joyful celebration of Diwali. While some families do make savoury food, during the celebration, sugary treats often take center stage. Indian sweets like jalebi, karanji, and coconut laddoo, Kaju katli, rasmalai are traditionally given as presents to loved ones, acquaintances, and neighbours. Along with these, gifting a box of dry fruits is also very common during Diwali.