Diwali is one of the major festivals of Hindus, celebrated with great zeal and happiness in India. The festival is celebrated for five continuous days, where the third day is celebrated as the main Diwali festival or 'Festival of lights'. Varieties of colourful fireworks are always allied with this festival. On this propitious day, people light up clay lamps and candles around the house. They perform Laxmi Puja in the evening and seek divine blessings of Goddess of Wealth. The festival Diwali is not complete without exchange of gifts. People present Diwali gifts to all near and dear ones. It is a festival where people from all age groups participate. They give expression to their happiness by lighting lamps, bursting firecrackers, decorating the houses, and inviting their neighbors for partaking in a sumptuous feast. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying curtsy to god for skill of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valor and fame. The traditional oil bath at 3 am is to wake up & volunteer to leave their beds long before the day to begin the Diwali celebration.

There is even an interesting myth behind this festival. The story goes that Narakasura, a demon, ruled the kingdom of Pradyoshapuram. Under his rule, the villagers suffered a lot of hardship as the demon tortured the people and kidnapped the women to be imprisoned in his palace. Seeing his wickedness, Lord Khrishna set out to destroy the demon and the day Narakasura died is celebrated as Diwali, the triumph of good over evil! Traditionally Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is not a single day festival, but is a part of a Five Days Festival. Each of these five days is celebrated for a specific purpose, and in a specific way. This starts two days before Diwali and continues until two days later. As per the Hindu calendar, this is from the Teras of Kartika Krishna Paksha, and continues until the Dwitiya of Kartika Shukla Paksha.

Rituals of Day One: Dhanteras / Dhantrayodashi: The thirteenth day of the month of Kartika in its Krishna Paksha is today famous as 'Dhan Teras'. The festival, also known as "Dhantrayodashi" or "Dhanwantari Triodasi" The word Dhanteras, Dhan stands for wealth. On Dhanteras, the "Owl" form of the Goddess Laxmi .From this day begins a five day Festival, in which comes the famous 'Festival of Lights' - the Diwali. Today "Teras" is mostly known for buying new tackle, ornaments or some new equipment, shopping etc. but this day had many different significances.

Rituals of Day Two: Chhoti Diwali / Narak Chaturdasi / Chaudas: The day previous to Diwali is famous as Chhoti Diwali or 'small Diwali'. It is Diwali on a smaller scale, with fewer lights lit and less crackers burst. The morning after Choti Diwali, the women of the house make beautiful, colored rangoli in the doorway and courtyard. Tiny footprints made out of rice paste are a special feature of the rangolis made for Diwali. One should not only live a life that assures good health, but also get the knowledge of Ayurveda. . In Hindu homes, Chhoti Diwali celebrations involve a ritual puja to Goddess Lakshmi and also to Rama in the evening. Songs in honor of the god are sung and aarti is performed. It is also called Narak Chaturdasi.   Read more..!