Diwali: Indian city Ayodhya lights 300,000 lamps to celebrate
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This year, Diwali takes place over five days from November 2, to November 6 with the main day of celebration on Thursday, November, 4. The festival, which for some also coincides with harvest and New Year celebrations, commemorates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness.
What is Diwali? How is it celebrated?
Diwali is a major festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, notably Newar Buddhists.
Observers commemorated the time by decorating their homes, shopping, fireworks, puja (prayers), giving gifts, getting together with family and friends for a feast, and more.
The first day of Diwali, known as Dhanteras, is dedicated to cleaning homes and buying small, gold items.
READ MORE: Diwali: Which religions and cultures celebrate Diwali?
The second day, called Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali, commemorates Krishna’s destruction of Narakasura, and prayers are often offered for the souls of ancestors on this day.
Lakshmi Puja is the third day and sees families seek blessings from Lakshmi to ensure their prosperity and visit temples, and is the main day of the festival.
The fourth day is Goverdhan Puja, Balipratipada or Annakut, and commemorates Krishna’s defeat of Indra, the god of gods, and is also the start of the New Year in the Vikrama (Hindu) calendar.
Bhai Dooj, Bhai Tika, or Bhai Bij is the fifth and last day and celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, on which sisters pray for the success and well-being of their brothers.
However, different parts of the world have distinctive traditions when celebrating Diwali.
How do I wish someone a happy Diwali?
A traditional Diwali greeting is to say “wishing you a Diwali that brings happiness prosperity and joy to you and all your family.”
According to the Times of India, there are several other greetings you can use for Diwali this year:
I hope this Diwali brings light in your life. Happy Diwali!
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Light a lamp of love. Blast a chain of sorrow. Shoot a rocket of prosperity. Fire a flowerpot of happiness. Wish you and your family a sparkling Diwali.
Just like the colours of rangoli, hope this Diwali brings new smiles, undiscovered avenues, and different perspectives and unbound happiness. Have a wonderful Diwali and a great New Year!
Candles to enjoy life; decorations to light life; presents to share success; firecrackers to burn evils; sweets to sweeten success, and worship to thank God! Wish you a joyous and prosperous Diwali!
May this Diwali fill into our lives new hopes for future and new dreams for tomorrow. With lots of love, wishing you a very Happy Diwali 2021.
May this Diwali fill into our lives new hopes for future and new dreams for tomorrow. With lots of love, wishing you a very Happy Diwali.
An occasion to celebrate victory over defeat, light over darkness, awareness over ignorance, an occasion to celebrate life. May this auspicious occasion light up your life with happiness, joy and peace. Happy Diwali!
All the lights of the world cannot be compared even to a ray of the inner light of the self. Merge yourself in this light and enjoy the festival of lights.
Open your main entrance door and welcome Goddess Lakshmi wholeheartedly. I hope she will fulfil all your dreams. Wish you a very happy and wealthy Diwali.
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