Diwali
(info Ohm, Rohit; pictures from flickr.com)
 Diwali Is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Hindus. This festival gets its name from the row (avail) of clay lamps (deep) that people light outside their homes to represent a light that protects them from inner darkness. Dipawali, Divali, and the festival of lights are the other names for the holiday, Diwali. Deepawali is mostly celebrated either in October or November. The festival of lights was originally created as a festival to mark the last harvest of the year before winter. People in India seek the precious blessing of the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi on this day and pray for success in the new financial year. The day after Divali marks a new year for many Indians. People celebrate the great religious holiday with great
exhibition of hand crafted clay lamps, bright fireworks, colorful electric lights, warm bon-fires, beautiful flowers, tasty sweets, and praying for the Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. Many beliefs are that the Goddess Lakshmi wanders the earth looking for homes where she would be welcomed. People open their doors and windows and light their lamps to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi.
 Diwali has many associated legends; Hindus interpret the Diwali story based on the part of India where they live. In all the legends of Diwali, however, one thing is common: it marks a
story of good over evil.
Diwali is a five day festival. The first day is known as 'Dhanteras' or wealth times thirteen. It's commonly believed that whatever wealth is acquired on this day grows thirteen times. Hindus try to buy expensive gold ornaments or kitchen utensils.
 The second day is spent in decorations. People in India draw colorful patterns in front of their houses, called 'Rangoli'. The houses are also decorated with clay lamps that are lit in the evenings for the following three days. This was my Mom's favorite festival. As a kid, she along with her sisters would not only draw 'Rangoli' but also build clay doll houses and decorated them with 'Rangoli' and clay lamps.
The third day is the most important of the five day celebration. Families get together and prepare tasty food by day. Families get together for the evening prayer before lighting the clay lamps. Soon after the lamps are lit, the celebration starts with fireworks. Families visit each other and have dinner together.
This is my favorite. We eat tasty sweets and get to light fire crackers that we purchase during fourth of July and preserve for this day.
 The fourth day of Diwali is the first day of a new year in some communities. Families visit each other and exchange gifts on this day.
The fifth day of Diwali is called “Bhaiya Dooj”. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers to have long and happy lives by performing the Tika ceremony, and sisters give gifts to their brothers.
Interviews
How did you celebrate Diwali as a kid?
Mom
My mom says that when she was a kid, Diwali was one of her favorite festivals. Dhanteras, the first day of the five day celebration used to be the day of shopping. My mother would go shopping for expensive jewelries, clay lamps for decorating house, fire crackers for the celebration on the Diwali evening and sweets.
She along with her sisters enjoyed sculpting clay doll houses on the day before Diwali. They would then color it and decorate with clay lamps.
On the day of Diwali they would wear new cloths and visit friends and families. In the evening, they would decorate the house from outside with clay lamps and light them. Later in the evening the whole sky would be lit with fireworks. They would set off their share of fireworks too.
What was the story of Diwali that you celebrated as a kid?
Dad
My dad says, the legend that he knows is about the victorious return of a kind and good king, Rama to his kingdom after defeating an evil king, Ravana (good over evil). When Rama returned to his kingdom the subject of the kingdom celebrated in Diwali style festivity to welcome their hero's return.
Is this your New Year?
Mom and Dad
My mother and father say no, that wasn't a new year for them but it is far most business men in India.
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