Diwali Puja

Diwali, or Deepavali, is the Hindu festival of lights. It is celebrated in a big way in India and Nepal, where it is called Tihar. The term Deepavali is of Sanskrit origin, which means an array of lamps. The word ‘deep’ means clay lamp and ‘avali’ means an array. The celebration of the festival signifies the victory of good over evil within oneself. The word Diwali is actually a corruption of the Sanskrit term Deepavali. Today it is celebrated by Sikhs, Jains, Hindus, and even some Buddhists all around the globe.

Along with the rest of India, West Bengal, the gateway to Eastern India celebrates Diwali - the festival of light with great funfare. And it has a unique flavor of its own in the State. Diwali in West Bengal comes off just after Durga Puja, the most important festival of the state. The first day of the Diwali festival in Bengal begins with the lighting of lamps in every households and commercial establishments. In most of the Bengali households, two or even four plantain trees would be erected in the entrance and diyas are put on these using bamboo poles.

Diwali is celebrated in Bihar with as much pomp and splendor, as in the other states of India. The festivities go on for five days starting with Dhanteras or Dhanatrayodashi. In Bihar this day is dedicated to Dhanvanthri the physician of the gods. Legend has it that he emerged with the 'Amrita' or nectar of immortality during the 'Samudra Manthan'. It falls on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Karthik month of the Hindu calendar. Dhan means wealth and Dhanteras is essentially a day dedicated to worship of Goddess Laxmi. It holds more significance for the business community.

Celebrating Diwali in Delhi, the capital city of India has a unique charm of its own. With traditional and classy neon lights brightly lit throughout the shops, houses and other establishments, the city seem to wear a new glittery garb to celebrate Diwali. With a cosmopolitan population, Diwali celebrations in Delhi represents the festival of lights with a special Indian flavor.