Deepavali is a festival of light and it is celebrated all over India. It is normally celebrated after 21 days after Dussehra. This festival marks the Unity in Diversity of Indians. This is one festival, that young and old look forward alike, and celebrate it with great zeal and enthusiasm. Diwali brings all friends and relatives together. The legends of Diwali are so many and the famous ones amongst them, is Rama's return back to Ayodhya, Killing of Narakasura. Deepavali is celebrated in Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore too. Deepavali is considered to be the national festival of India.
Deepavali in different regions of India:
Deepavali in South India:
Deepavali is celebrated in a different manner in different parts of India. In south Indian states of Tamilnadu, Andrapradesh and Karnataka, people clean their house and decorate it with Kolams(Rangoli). In south India, the celebrations of Diwali are for two days, the Diwali day and the previous day night. The previous day night is Lakshmi Pooja day and the next day is the Naraka Chaturdasi,(the day, the evil Narakasura was killed). Early in the morning on the Deepavali day, every one takes bath before sunrise and wear new clothes.
Deepavali in West India:
Deepavali is celebrated for almost 5 days in all the western states of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat. The first day is Dhanteras, the second day is Kali choudas, third day is Lakshmi Puja, the fourth day is Muhurat Pujan and the fifth day is Yamadwitheya. Lakshmi Puja, new year, new account opening mark the most significance features of Deepavali in the western parts of India.
Deepavali in East India:
Kali Puja is the main celebration of Deepavali in West Bengal. Lamps are lit in her honour and houses glow with those lights. Evenings are ear marked for Lakshmi Puja.
In Orissa, Deepavali is celebrated with crackers and sweet meats. All the members of the household gather together in the house in the evening and draw a sail boat with 7 chambers and 7 different items are kept along with the prasad in the middle chamber on which jute stem is placed. The jute stem is with a cotton wick and is lighted and from that all the members light their own bundle of jute sticks and pray with hands raised p to the sky. After this puja crackers are burst. The houses are decorated brightly with lights and flowers.
Deepavali in North India:
There are 3 day celebrations in Jammu and Kashmir. People decorate the house with lights after cleaning their homes. This occassion they mark it as a day to buy new things. On the Deepavali day, people get up early and put on their new clothes and go to temples and exchange pleasantaries. The day next to Deepavali is known as Sukhsuptika, and on this day, the elders of the family fast and do Lakshmi Pooja.
In most of the parts of Uttarpradesh, Deepavali is celebrated for 5 days just like that in Gujarat, along with the return of Rama after the victory over Ravana.
For special Deepavali Recipes