Diwali

Dīpãvali (also transliterated Deepavali; Sanskrit: row of lights) or Diwãli (contracted spelling) is the Hindu Festival of Lights. It is also a significant festival for the Sikh and Jain faiths.

Significance

The festival generally marks the victory of good over evil.

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It is celebrated by Hindus all over the world, every year. On the day of Dipavali, old and young, rich and poor wear new dresses and share sweets. They also burn fire crackers. The North Indian business community starts their financial new year on Dipavali and new account books are opened on this day.

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There are three mythological legends associated with Dipavali:

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• The first Dipavali was held to celebrate the return of the Rama, King of Ayodhya, his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana to Koshala after a war in which he killed the demon Ravana. It was getting dark, so people along the way lit oil lamps to light their way.
• Second, it commemorates the killing of Narakasura, an evil demon by Lord Krishna. So Dipavali is a festival symbolising the destruction of evil forces.
• Third, Diwali is associated with Daitya king Bali, who is allowed to return to earth once a year. This legend is given in Bhavishyottara Bramhavaivarta Purana, and is also mentioned by Al Biruni.

Historically, Dipavali is first mentioned in Jain books, as the date of the nirvana of Lord Mahavira. The oldest use of the word "Diwali/Dipavali" occurs in Harivamsha-Purana written by Acharya Jinasena, composed in Shaka Samvat 705.

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