Diwali or Deepawali is also known as festival of lights, and it is an important festival in Hindu, Jain and Sikh religion and celebrated for five days. This festival is celebrated after 21 days of Dusshera It is celebrated as the return of Lord Sri Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile.
People clean and wash their houses on Diwali. Some people paint their houses and some people open their windows to welcome Goddess of wealth Laxmiji and illuminate deepaks and candles in their houses as a token of welcome to Laxmiji with lights. People decor their houses and prepare Rangoli also. It is believed that Laxmiji enters into clean and spotless houses.
Five Days of Diwali
On this day people wear new cloths, take delicious food and blow crackers and exchange gifts and sweets with each other. They prepare varieties of food. This festival is of 5 days
First Day - Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi is celebrated for Goddess Laxmiji. After Dhanteras Pooja, devotional songs are sung in praise of devi.
Second Day - It is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali. On this day Lord Krishna had killed demon Narkasur. On this day people take bath with oil early in the morning, apply Kumkum or their forehead and worship Goddess Kali.
Third Day - This is Diwali day. On this day, sweets are prepared and disbursed among the friends an relations. During the evening, people worship Goddess Laxmiji and put light in their respective houses. They put 'Jhalar' of bulbs and deepaks. Deepak symbolizes wisdom. In the night the children enjoy crackers.
Fourth Day - On this fourth day of Diwali, Govardhan is worshiped on Kartik Shukla Pratipada (Padava). On this day at the doorstep Govardhan is made from cow dung. It is believed that Lord krishna had lifted mountain Govardhan on his small finger.
Fifth Day - It is called Yama Dwitiya and on this day, sisters invite their brothers to their houses. This festival is known as Bhai Dooj.
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