The Diwali Festival is held with a huge celebration in the capital city of Delhi in India. The Festival of Lights or Diwali is a festival which has the potency of uniting entire India because of the appeal and magnificence encircling the festival. The Diwali Festival in New Delhi as well as the rest of India has been given the traditional name of ‘festival of lights’ because of the hundreds and thousands of diyas or small oil lamps lighted in nearly all the homes.
Description of Diwali Festival:
During the Festival of Diwali in Delhi, the burning of these diyas is considered to be the illuminated pathway of a person’s expression of happiness. The lighting of the lamps is also believed to a mode of paying a bow to God, the highest power, for achieving health, knowledge, prosperity, financial security and peace in life. The Delhi Diwali Festival or ‘the festival of lights’ is celebrated with much eagerness and passion in almost all the parts of North India. In fact, the Diwali Festival of Delhi is regarded to bring the mystic joy and brightness in a person’s life.
This festival brings a hope of finding out life amidst darkness, achieving happiness in place of unawareness. The Diwali Festival also spreads love amidst hatred and violence. The age old tradition of lighting the diyas on the Festival of Diwali holds a lot of importance, because in Hindu mythology the light stands for vivacity and integrity. In the present times it is seen that in the cities classy neon lights and candles are often lighted as a substitute of the original diyas.
On Diwali, the idea behind the lighting of diyas and candles has come from a number of stories according to the Hindu mythology. The most popular of these stories are is the story spinning around Lord Rama and his family. The Diwali Festival celebrates the return of Lord Rama, who came back to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. Rama came back home after spending 14 years in deportation. The day of Diwali is also regarded as the day of enthronement of Lord Rama.
Time of Celebration of Diwali Festival:
The Festival of Diwali in New Delhi begins with the festival of Dussehra. The Delhi Diwali Festival falls on the months of November-December.
The main events of the Diwali Festival are:
- Day 1 – Dhanteras
- Day 2 – Chhoti Diwali, Roop Chaturdashi
- Day 3 – Laxmi Pujan, Bandi Chhor Diwas
- Day 4 – Goverdhan Puja, Annakoot
- Day 5 – Bhai Dooj
