 India is the land of diverse cultures and traditions and a land of festivals and celebrations. It is a land of festivity where Diwali festival is one of the most important, popular, auspicious & grand occasion which is celebrated with great zeal & warmth. Diwali is also known as Deepavali which means a line of lamps. Being the festival of lights, Deepavali in India is a holy tradition and it symbolizes the victory of light over darkness; darkness refers to ignorance and light refers to knowledge. It is a major Hindu festival honoring Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. Celebrated joyously all over India, it is a festival of wealth and prosperity.
 Diwali celebration is a five-day long festivity and is marked by multi-colored Diwali Rangoli designs, special ceremonies, Diwali diyas, Diwali decorations, Diwali fireworks, exchange of Diwali sweets and Diwali gifts that lends grandeur to the occasion. Every home shines with the glow of twinkling Diwali diyas to welcome Lakshmi.
 Diwali festival, the festival of lights, is celebrated after 20 days of Dussehra. The five days long festivity of Dipavali celebration begins on the 13th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin (October / November). Diwali or the festival of lights falls on the Amavasya -the 15th day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin.
 The First day is called 'Dhanteras' which falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin. The word Dhan means wealth. Believing this day to be auspicious, women purchase somegold or silver or at least one or two new utensils. The Second day is called Choti Diwali which falls on the fourteenth day of the month of Ashwin. This day therefore is dedicated to lights and prayers heralding a future full of joy and laughter.
 The Third day of this festival of lights is the most important day which sees colors of fire crackers, lighting of Diwali lamps, delicious sweets, new clothes and family get together exchanging gifts. On this day special Hindu puja ceremony is observed to worship Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi.
The fourth day of Diwali festivities is marked with different ways in the various parts of India. Dipavali is incomplete without Fire Crackers and bursting of crackers is associated with the killing of the frantic Narakasura by Lord Krishna
 In Diwali history, Diwali is the day when King Rama's victory was celebrated in Ayodhya after his epic war with Ravana, the demoniac king of Lanka. Rama & his wife Sita returned after 14 years of exile, ending war in which the whole kingdom of Lanka was destroyed. So, on this auspicious day, the lightening up of lamps signifies happiness & end of bad.
 On this day Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean of milk called the Ksheer Sagar. She brought with her wealth and prosperity for mankind. On that day, Laxmi Puja was performed to honor her and from then on Diwali day, Hindus worship her every year in the evening. Many people believe that Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and good fortune, visit the homes of devotees on this day that is why they keep their places clean & well-lit to welcome her sacred steps.
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