Essay On Diwali 400 Words
Diwali is celebrated in memory of Lord Sri Ram returning to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile. He came back home after defeating the evil King Ravana. This day was celebrated by the people of Ayodhya by illuminating the entire kingdom with lights. Hence, Diwali is celebrated every year after Dussehra to signify the victory of good over evil.
Diwali is one of the most enjoyable and important festivals celebrated by the Hindus. Besides Hindus, several other people across India celebrate it with great joy and fun. Every year this festival falls in the months of October or November. Both young and old look forward to Diwali as it brings happiness and joy.
Diwali is known as the βglee of lanterns’ or ‘festival of lights. It is the festival to bring home happiness, peace, progress, and prosperity. People make various kinds of preparations well in advance. Houses and shops are cleaned. Some prefer painting them before the festival. Various sweets and delicacies are prepared. New clothes are bought or stitched. In the evening, houses are lit with torans, lanterns, colorful candles, and small earthen diyas.
Diwali lasts for five days. On the first day, Goddess Lakshmi showers her blessings for prosperity and wealth throughout the year. The second day is called Narak Chaturdasi. On this day, Lord Krishna had destroyed the devil Narakasur. On the third day, Lakshmi puja is performed in the evening to get the blessings from the Goddess of Wealth. On this fourth day, Govardhan puja is performed.
The fifth day is called ‘Bhai Dujβ. It is a day devoted to sisters. On this day, Yama the lord of death visited his sister the Yamuna. Yama gave his sister a blessing that people visiting her on this day shall be freed from all evils. From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day. These five days are the days of jubilation and devotion.
Women and young girls make colorful rangoli designs outside their houses. Flowers and garlands are used to increase the beauty of the houses. Crackers are bought by the children. At night, the sky is full of colorful fireworks. Rockets, noisy bombs, sparklers, fountains, etc. are burnt with great joy. However, today awareness has been spread about the harmful effects like sound and air pollution caused by burning crackers. Thus, they have started avoiding the use of crackers.
The day following Diwali is observed as the Hindu New Year. It also marks the beginning of a new business year. Merchants and shopkeepers close their accounts for the year and open new accounts for the New Year. A new Hindu calendar begins.
On the day of New Year, people visit their friends and relatives to exchange gifts and greetings with each other. Diwali unites people and brings togetherness.
Essay On Deepawali 500 Words
Deepawali symbolizes the great cultural heritage of Hindus. Deepawali means a line of lamps. This age-old festival of India is celebrated on the new moon day (Amavasya) of the Marathi month, Kartik. The decorative lamps hanging outside the houses look beautiful in the darkness of the new moon day. Even stars appear dim in front of these lamps.
Deepawali festival has its connection with Lord Rama. It is believed that he returned to his birthplace, Ayodhya on this day. So the citizens of Ayodhya illuminated every nook and corner of the city to welcome him and express their joy. Since then people started celebrating this festival. The Jain community celebrates this festival because Bhagawan Mahaveer, the 24th Tirthankara obtained Nirvana on this day.
Deepawali is not a one-day festival. It is a collective festival of 4 to 5 days. The first day is called Dhantrayodashi. The second day is known as Narak Chaturdashi. Lord Krishna killed the demon called Narakasur on this day. The next day is the main day of Deepawali and it is called Laxmi Pujan. It is believed that Hindu Goddess Laxmi originated from the ocean on this day. This Goddess is supposed to be the deity of wealth and so she is worshipped.
The fourth day of Deepawali is called Gowardhan Puja or Padawa. Lord Krishna saved the lives of residents of Gokul village against heavy rains and floods by lifting the Gowardhan hill. This way he defeated King Indra. So this day is celebrated in his memory. The fifth day marks the love and affection between brothers and sisters. It is called Bhaubeej. All the sisters pray for the prosperity of their brothers. The brothers in turn present them with gifts.
Though the actual Deepawali festival lasts for four to five days, its preparations start long before. People clean their houses, white-wash, and renew them. It is an occasion of merry-making, exchange of gifts, and greetings to friends and relatives. Special arrangements are made for the Laxmi Pujan. Holy hymns are enchanted.
The lamps made from clay are filled with oil and lighted in the evening. Children enjoy the fireworks and the various types of crackers. Many kinds of sweets and delicious food items are prepared and are sent to friends and relatives. The markets look bright and charming. This festival brings people together and spreads happiness in everybody’s life.
The festival reminds us of our glorious past. We can turn the darkness of the new moon day into full moon day by illuminating the lights. Similarly, we should pray to God to show us the right path and take us from the darkness towards the light of knowledge.
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