Deepavali Speech

INTRODUCTION

What is the first thing that comes into your mind when you think about Diwali? Lights, fireworks,
colourful paintings, sweets and what not. It is an occasion when all the members of our family come
together to celebrate the Diwali night.

Diwali can rightly be called as one of the biggest festivals of Hindus which is celebrated with joy and
harmony not only in India but across the globe. Especially the kids look forward to this festival since they
get to burst their favourite crackers and eat whatever they wish.

The festival of Diwali takes place during the month of October or November every year. It is celebrated
exactly 20 days after the festival of Vijayadashami. Spiritually, it is significant for us because it represents
the victory of good over evil. While celebrating the festival, people try to follow all the rituals. Few of
these are decorating the houses with candles and diyas and worshiping Lord Ganesha and Goddess
Lakshmi.

WHAT ARE THE TRADITIONS AND HOW IT IS CELEBRATED

(Rangoli Diwali) = Preparations for Diwali begin well in advance and involve thoroughly cleaning houses,
making refurbishments as well as throwing away unwanted items. This is because goddess Lakshmi, the
Hindu goddess of wealth only blesses clean houses. Furthermore, to welcome Lakshmi, many people
also decorate their doorways by drawing beautiful patterns on the ground using colored rice, powder,
sand or flower petals. Diwali art, such as the rangoli decoration is thought to bring good luck.

(oil bath) = The first Indian tradition during Naraka Chaturdashi and Diwali is to take oil bath before the
sunrises. Symbolically oil bath imply new beginning by removing all the ego, birse, fight, self esteem and
jealousy. According to mythology early morning bath signifies the destruction of evil within us and as
sacred as bathing in River Ganges. Later on we get to change to new clothes and It is also customary to
worship goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, alongside Lord Ganesha. Praying to the goddess
ensures you are blessed with a wealthy and prosperous life.

(Oil lamps)=When it comes to Deepavali, illumination of the houses is a must to invite the goddess of
good fortune into one’s home. The traditional way to do so is by lighting handmade eastern lamps.
Once the prayer ceremonies dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are completed, these
lamps are lit. The lamps are placed on window sills, doorways and in the darkest corners of the house.
The other reason is, since Diwali is celebrated on the new moon day when it is absolute darkness
everywhere, people light millions of lamps to get rid of the darkness.
The lights of Deepavali outside every door signifies that the inner spiritual light of an individual must
reflect outside too.

(Gifts) = Giving and receiving Diwali gifts to or from friends, relatives and other contacts is one of the
most important traditions of Diwali. We will receive gifts from parents as the first gift on Deepavali day
and And we take blessings from the elders. Earlier boxes of sweets or dry fruits were gifted but now
right from food baskets, electronic appliances, gift vouchers to personal consumer products make it to
the list.

(Traditional indian food) = Diwali is a joyous occasion, where traditional foods play a big role. While
families do prepare savory dishes, sweet delicacies usually take center stage during the festival. This is
the time where the relatives and friends gathered to celebrate the Deepavali together.

Lastly, Fireworks are the main attraction of Diwali for people of all ages. Choti Diwali is exclusive for
small children to express their happiness and enjoyment, by bursting crackers. Crackers are traditionally
burst to ward off the evil spirits, as it is believed that the sound scares them away. The night sky glitters
with numerous sparkles of firecrackers and their sound resonates throughout the night.

So this is how Deepavali is celebrated and its tradition. Thank you