SHORT ESSSAY ON DIWALI

India is known as the land of festivals and Diwali is one of India’s biggest festivals. It is a festival of
lights, and every Indian celebrates it with joy. In the right terms this is the festival that emphasizes
the victory of light over darkness.

It is a Hindu festival, held in the period October or November. It is particularly associated with
Goddess Lakshmi and denotes financial prosperity for the people. Sweets and gifts are exchanged,
children burst crackers and a lot of delicacies are prepared. People wear new clothes and all the
family members come together to acknowledge this day. In my opinion, it is one of the most
enjoyable, beautiful, and sacred festivals of the Hindu religion.

In North India the Hindus celebrate Diwali to honor Ramachandra ji who is considered the seventh
incarnation of the Lord Vishnu. It is believed that on this day Ram ji with his wife Sita ji and brother
Lakshman ji returned to Ayodhya (his kingdom) after 14 years of exile during which he fought and
won a battle against the demon king, Ravan. It is believed that the people lit oil lamps along the way
to light their path in the darkness.

In South India it is considered as a victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Naraka. There also the
people celebrate this day with new clothes and bursting of crackers etc.

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For the Sikhs, Diwali is particularly important because it celebrates the release of the sixth guru,
Guru Har Gobind ji, and 52 other kings and princes along with him in the year 1619.

Diwali has a very special significance in Jainism as well. It marks the anniversary of the liberation of
Mahavir’s soul, the 24th and last Jain Tirthankara, of the present age.

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