Why We Celebrate Diwali?

Diwali the 'Festival of lights' is one of the biggest and grand festivals of India. The word Diwali means 'row of lamps'. It is one of the main festivals that falls under Hinduism. It's celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over the evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. The reason of celebration differs from region to region in India.

The festival falls between mid- October and mid-November. During the period of time, everyone worship goddess Lakshmi and also many traditional activities are performed during the five day celebration.

1. Birth of Lakshmi

It is said that the occasion of Diwali is actually the birth anniversary of Goddess Lakshmi. As per Legends, the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi was re-incarnated on the new moon night of the Kartik month. This is why Diwali is celebrated to mark the importance of this day and seek the blessings of Goddess of prosperity

2. Return of Pandavas

The great epic Mahabharata says, it was Kartik Amavashya when the Pandavas returned from 12 years of exile to Virata kingdom as a result from banishment by Kauravas at the game of dice. The Pandavas were welcomed by the people by lighting earthen lamps. Since then Diwali is celebrated to mark the return of Pandava brothers after a long rigorous exile.

3. Victory of Rama

Diwali is the day when it is said that Lord Rama returned to his kingdom Ayodhya after conquering Lanka. Lord Rama was exiled by his father Dashratha, the King of Ayodhya, along with his wife Sita and his younger brother Lakshman.

Lord Rama returned to his Kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, in which he put an end to the demon Ravana of Lanka. After this victory of Good over Evil, Rama returned to Ayodhya and people welcomed them by lighting rows of clay lamps. So, it is an occasion in honor of Rama's victory over Ravana or Truth's victory over Evil.

4. Krishna killed Narakasura

Narakasura ruled the kingdom of Pradyoshapuram. Puranas says he has acquired immense power from a blessing given by Lord Brahma after a severe penance. Under his rule, the villagers suffered a lot of hardship as the demon tortured the people and kidnapped the women to be imprisoned in his palace with his invincible might.

Unable to bear the tyranny of the demon, the celestial beings pleaded with Lord Krishna to save them from his torture. Lord Vishnu in his 8th incarnation as Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasura and rescued 16,000 women from his captivity. The celebration of this freedom went on for two days including the Diwali day as a victory festival and the story is a reminder that good can still come out of evil.