Origin Of Diwali 17th October, 2009  Save as Bookmark  Send this Page to Friend. Diwali Home   Diwali Wallpapers   Diwali Celebrations   Diwali Rituals   Diwali Sweets Recipes   How to do Diwali Ganesh Puja   How to do Diwali Lakshmi Puja   Kali Puja   Origin Of Diwali   Send Diwali Greetings   Diwali is a spectacular religious festival held in late autumn. The celebration takes place on the darkest night of autumn, the new moon day (Amabashya), at the beginning of Kartika (October-November), eighteen days after the celebration of Dashera. Diwali means cluster of lights. On the Diwali day, rows of lamps decorate the houses and presents are exchanged. Diwali, in the north of India, is associated with the coronation of Rama when he returned to Ayodhya (in Uttar Pradesh) after vanquishing the demon Ravana on the day of Dashera. Ram had been in exile for fourteen years and his followers were pleased to see his return to Ayodhya. They welcomed him by decorating their houses with lamps and rejoiced with the display of fireworks at night. Diwali is seen as a renewal of life. Houses are painted and new purchases are made at this time. In Maharasthra, Diwali is seen as a festival for warding off king Bali, the ruler of the underworld. In the western part of India, many Hindus believe that the souls of their ancestors come to visit their homes during the new moon day of Diwali. Lamps are lit to guide the way of the departed souls. In Gujrat, Diwali is associated mostly with the worship of Luxmi, the goddess of wealth.     It is believed Luxmi on this day emerges to bring prosperity to the world. Luxmi puja in Gujrat lasts for five days which starts with Dhanterash, the worshipping of wealth. The fourth day is Gujrat‘s New Years Day. Luxmi is believed to visit the homes that are well lit. So, families decorate their houses with light, flowers and paper chains. It is believed that lighting the new lamps will drive away evil and poverty from the world and heralds better times. In the eastern part of India, especially in West Bengal, Luxmi puja is celebrated five days after Dashera, on the full moon day (Purnima). On the following new moon day (Amabashya), coinciding with Diwali, goddess Kali is worshipped. Kali has a terrifying look. She destroys all evils. Lamps are lit in her honor, and in return, she promises a renewal of life and justice on earth.