India is a land of festivals. Diwali: 'The Festival of Lights', is celebrated with zest and jollity. Diwali is a five day Hindu festival which occurs on the fifteenth day of Kartika. During this time, homes are thoroughly cleaned and windows are opened to welcome Laksmi, goddess of wealth. Gifts are exchanged and festive meals are prepared during Diwali. Diwali, being the festival of lights, thousands of lamps are lit in and outside every home on the day.

Candles and lamps are lit as a greeting to Laksmi. Lamp or "Deep" is the symbol of knowledge. Lighting the lamp of knowledge within us means to understand and reflect upon the significant purpose of each of the five days of festivities and to bring those thoughts in to our day to day lives.

Diwali Festival marks the coronation of Lord Shree Ram as the King of Ayodhya on his return to the kingdom with wife Sita and brother Laxman after 14 long years of exile and killing of Ravana - the demon King of Lanka. As the Hindus hold Lord Ram in high esteem, the festival of Diwali is celebrated with joy and charm that is unmatched in celebration with any other festival.

Diwali is celebrated as a five-day-long festival and there are set rituals for each of the five days. On the first day of Dhanteras, people buy new utensils; on second day of Chaturdashi, devotees take bath before sunrise as it is considered auspicious; on third day of Diwali, Lakshmi puja is performed to propitiate the goddess of wealth to fulfill one's wishes for prosperity; fourth day commence the Govardhan puja, on this day their is worship of cows; and, on the fifth comes Bhai Dooj when brothers visit their sisters. Its origin is traced to the Puranic incident of Yama visiting Yamuna.

Diwali festival is a special occasion when every family will be cleaning their home thoroughly; preparing for their elaborate rangolis, planning special dish and visiting to temple, friend and relatives. On the day of Diwali, people elegant up their houses to welcome Goddess Lakshmi - the Hindu legendary Goddess of wealth. People believe that Goddess Lakshmi visits only clean houses on Diwali.

Shopping for Diwali starts a fortnight before the festival beckons. It's a shopper's time as they never have purchases so good. Almost every shopkeeper has an eye-catching discount offer on clothes, sweets and crackers to attract customers.

In the evening earthen diyas, candles and layers of electric bulbs are lighted by people to symbol the festival. People wear bright new outfit and women adorn themselves with attractive jewelry. All members of the family get together in the devotion room to perform the traditional Lakshmi Puja on the occasion of Diwali. People pray for prosperity and happiness in the coming year. This is because Diwali symbols the beginning of New Year especially by the Hindu business community. Businessmen starts new account books on the fortunate day of Diwali.

A sumptuous family dinner follows the Puja and thereafter, it is time to burn crackers. Everybody gathers in the open space outside the home and indulges in a show of fire-works; sky looks brilliant with the amazing sparkle of crackers.

Diwali has evolved into a community festival where people attain an opportunity to socialize at a large scale and take out few cheerful moments from their busy schedule.