Custom and Tradition
Diwali is the festival of lights. When we talk about Diwali, the thoughts of immense lighting appear in our minds. Actually Diwali is also known as Deepawali that is a Sanskrit word and the its meaning is row of lamps. Sanskrit is believed to be the language of Devtas (Gods). One of the important customs of Diwali is to light earthen lamps filled with oil and having a wick. People light these lamps all around their house, on the roof and also on the way to their houses. This is done to remove darkness from every part of the house. Actually the preparations of Diwali starts weeks ago. People clean their houses and work places and do white washing there weeks before Diwali.
On the day in the daytime people decorate their houses with flowers and colorful paper ribbons etc. The entrance is given special importance as it is believed that Godess Laxmi (the Godess of wealth and prosperity), comes to the house through the entrance. People prepare Rangoli designs at the entrance. The "Vandawars" of mango leaves and flowers are hanged at the entrance gate. In the evening the house is lighted with the help of small electric bulbs. The multi colored electric bulbs are used at door, at roof and also on the outer walls of the house. The footprints of Godess Laxmi are also drawn on the entrance with the vermilion powder. In the evening women, go to the market for buying gold and silver coins and ornaments. People also buy some new utensils for the kitchen. Some people buy silver coins engraved with the picture of Godess Laxmi for gifts. As it is the day of Godess of wealth, buying gold and silver is considered very lucky. At night people worship Godess Laxmi at their homes and also at their work places. During the process of worship, people offer flowers, fruits and sweets to the Godess Laxmi. The new gold and silver ornaments are also kept at worship place to please the Godess and to get the blessings of her. There after people light earthen lamps around their houses and on the way to their house. Then people take the blessings of elders of their family by touching their feet and giving them sweets and gifts. Thereafter the amazing play of firing crackers starts.Children love
to fire crackers. Various kind of colorful sparkles and skyshots are fired. It looks like the sky has become full of shooting stars and on the other hand it seems that all the stars of the sky have come down to earth. Then people also perform the tradition of Diwali Milan. People go to visit the homes of their friends and relatives and give them wishes of prosperity along with gifts and sweets. People also honor the guests who come to their house and offer them sweets. These all customs and traditions make it the most awaited festival for everyone but the festival is not over now.
