Deepavali - Indian festival of health, happiness, well being and wealth

Contributed By: Anshika Pandey (Student Mass Comm Contributor)


Today is special! The day is special because in this article we will talk about the festival of lights which comes  from Sanskrit word termed as Diwali or Deepavali.

It is one of the most celebrated festivals in India and throughout the globe in Hindu societies and it’s a festival of culture which respected and valued by followers of various faiths.

It represents the victory of light over darkness as well as good over evil and this occasion is celebrated by lighting Diya’s or oil lamps and they light up their homes, business and public spaces. Deepavali usually falls between October and November and this festival lasts five days and the main celebration happens on the third day.

People celebrate this festival with bursting crackers and fireworks and by gathering and having delicious food even by exchanging sweets and the joy of gifting each other; clean the house and by decorating with lights and making beautiful rangolis.

Deepavali is celebrated by almost every religion as it celebrates the return of Bhagwaan (God) Ram with Seeta Maa, Hanuman ji and his brother Lakshman, to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. It also celebrates the victory of good over evil with God Ram's victory over the demon-king, Ravana.

In the year 2024 on Deepavali, Ayodhya lit up like never before with about 2.5 million eco-friendly diyas (small earthen pots) lighting up the city. It may be worth noting that Ayodhya is celebrating its first Diwali since Ramlala's newly built Ram Mandir was inaugurated earlier in January this year.

While 2.5million diya’s lit up the city, 1,121 people are performing Diya rotations - thereby setting up two Guinness world records.

This highlights the rich culture of India and it's tradition. Many tourists from across the world gushed, that the whole journey was the ultimate high in ones spiritual well-being. Deepawali 2024 was also very instrumental in boosting the economy of Ayodhya with local businesses flourishing.

Deepavali is indeed a festival of togetherness, kindness and hope which makes Diwali a truly special festival in India, transcending the national boundaries and reaching across the world to make the world a better and spiritual place to inhabit.