10 Things You Should Know About Diwali Celebration

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Ten of the most surprising facts about Diwali that can explain us why this festival is most loved are given here:

Celebrated irrespective of geographical boundaries
Diwali erases the notion that celebrations of Indian festivals is limited to India. Diwali is widely celebrated all across the globe wherever there is Indian diaspora. Indonesia, Fiji, Thailand, Mauritius, Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, USA and Canada are some of the countries that host Diwali celebrations.
Interestingly, it is in the city of Leicester, United Kingdom, the biggest foreign celebration of Diwali occurs with dazzling lights, crackers and cultural performances.

Festival of shopping and fun

Deepavali is synonymous with shopping. Every year, during the Diwali season it is a norm that e-commerce and brick and mortar stores throw lavish discounts to attract customers. The festival is marked with the new clothes and new items all around. Not surprisingly, even the people with lesser income wait the whole year to purchase new clothes and items especially for Diwali.

One festival, many religions

Most Hindu festivals do have a legend behind their celebration. This is either linked with religion or nature worship. But the festival of Diwali holds significance in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism.

In Hinduism, the festival is linked with the killing of demon Narakasura by Satyabhama. Also, it marks the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after the killing of Ravan. In Jainism, it is on Diwali, that the last Tirthankara Lord Mahavira attained his Nirvana. For Sikhs, Diwali marks the day when their respected Guru Hargobind Ji was freed from the captivity of Mughal ruler Jahangir in Gwalior.

Multi-day celebration

Diwali is one of the few Hindu festivals that spans more than a day. In some areas of South India, the festival is celebrated for 2 days. In North India, the celebrations last 3-5 days, and so is with North East India too.

No restrictions of any sort

Diwali is a time when people forget their differences and hatred. People get together and celebrate the festival with utmost fun and fervour. Love and wishes are exchanged. Sweets and Diwali special delicacies are shared.

Crackers, crackers everywhere

Diwali sounds like crackers. The origin of the festival incorporated the burning of crackers to kill the insects and disease-causing germs that would prevail in the cold climate in India during the winter season

Movies and Sweets

India is a land of movies as much as it is a land of culture and festivals. Diwali is a time of the year many major movie releases happen in India. Families and movie buffs across the world eagerly await Diwali movie releases.

Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings

Diwali marks the special puja that is meant to please Goddess Lakshmi. Every household of India on this day adorns the home with lamps to invite Goddess Lakshmi and please her. Businessmen perform Diwali puja with grandeur and seek Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings to help boost the business.

Impacts Gold and Stock markets

Dhan Trayodasi, the festival that falls during Diwali, holds prominence in Hinduism. People believe that purchasing Gold on this day brings luck and is auspicious. Similarly, people make investments on this day keeping in view of its prominence. This effect can be seen every year on stock markets of India.

Farmers festival

Not many people know that Diwali is a harvest festival too. Farmers thank deities on this festival of lights.
Conclusion

The word Diwali means the festival of lights. Rows of earthen lamps are filled with oil. Cotton wicks are put in the oil filled clay diyas. Though modern forms of lamps are entering markets every year, Indian believe it a sentiment to light diyas in earthen lamps on Diwali day.

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