Diwali or the festival of light is perhaps one of the most widely celebrated festivals of India which makes the country glow bright in unity and pride. Considered as one of the most ancient festivals, Diwali takes place on the new moon night of the Hindu month of Kartika which generally falls between October and November. Different rituals are followed at varied parts of the country but customs like lighting up of lamps (or Diyas) and dressing in new bright clothes help to maintain the parity. Let us see how different regions of India celebrate the auspicious festival of Deepavali.
- Northern India: The festival starts with the eve of Dhanteras where women buy precious metals to worship Lord Kuber, the God of wealth. It is followed by Naraka Chaturdashi which is celebrated to commemorate the defeat of Narakasura by Goddess Kali. The third day of the festival is the day when Diwali is celebrated and in states like West Bengal, Goddess Kali is worshipped on the very same night. The next day celebrates the relation of husband and wife and the fifth or last day of the festival beholds the much-awaited Bhai-Dooj where sisters pray for the welfare of their brothers, almost similar like Raksha Bandhan.
- Maharashtra: The festival of Diwali is celebrated in a similar manner as that of Northern India with the sole exception that Goddess Laxmi is worshipped on the third day to pray for well-being and prosperity. For Marwaris, Diwali mark the start of New Year as it celebrated on the last day of the Hindu month of Ashvin. Jains celebrate the festival of light to commemorate the enlightenment of Mahavira.
- Southern India: In states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the festival celebrates the victory of good over evil commemorating the defeat of Narakasura by Lord Krishna and Satyabhama, in the respective states. Naraka Chaturdashi is, thus, celebrated on the day before and the very day of Diwali. People light up candles and ignite firecrackers to resemble the victory.
Like in India, Diwali is celebrated with similar glamour in neighbouring countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka and even in places like Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Trinidad and New Zealand.
The festival of light is incomplete without the exchange of gifts between family and friends. Diwali is surely one of the biggest celebrated festivals of India in terms of family bonding and gifts exchange. This has not only become a tradition of the festival but has also become a means to express the love we have for our family members, relatives and friends. To help you in your task of finding the perfect gift for someone you care about, we provide you with 3 best Diwali gift suggestions of this year.
- Lanterns: Light up your loved one’s home with these collection of extraordinary lanterns that promise both ethnicity and beauty to suit to the interiors. This is one of those exceptional Diwali gift ideas that anyone would appreciate on this auspicious festival. Select from a large range of special lanterns in accordance with your budget.
- Dry Fruits Gift Pack: Considered as unusual gifts for Diwali, one would always love receiving something unexpected. The Dry Fruit Gift Packs are surely the most unique Diwali gift suggestions for this year. Sweeten the bond between you and your dear ones with these tasty Dry fruits Collections that has been assorted with love.
- Amazon Diwali Gift Card: If you are still hovering for Diwali gift ideas, then the specially designed Amazon Diwali Gift Cards are sure to solve your purpose. Gift him/her the power to select the commodities of his/her choice and save yourself from the tension of looking for unusual gifts to make them happy.
