Religious Festival

Diwali, a religious hindu festival

Diwali as millions of people in India know it; is one of the main religious festival’s that take’s place in the Hindu calendar in India. It marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and is celebrated with great enthusiasm for over a period of 5 days(In some places in India) by people of Hindu religion all over India. It is celebrated in various ways in different parts of India; though it is celebrated everywhere with the same spirit . It signifies a new beginning for people, some people consider their sins for the year to be washed once the rituals and festivities associated with Diwali are completed.

The story behind “why diwali is celebrated” is very vivid. Diwali celebrates The Hindu God Rama’s homecoming that is his return to his hometown Ayodhya after the defeat of Ravana and his coronation as the king. The legend related to the festival is that of King Dashratha’s three wives namely Kaushalaya, Keykayee and Sumitra and his four sons Rama, Bharat, Laxmana and Shatrughan. Rama was the son of Kaushalaya and Bharat was the son of Keykayee; Keykayee wanted Bharat to be the next King of Ayodhya, while King Dasharatha wanted Rama his eldest and wisest son to be the future King. Queen Keykayee made full use of the two wischaracter and are associated with some place, saint or pir. The fairs and festivals attracting large gatherings are taken advantage of by Government, religious and social organisations, and business firms, for doing publicity.
As in the adjoining districts, the religious festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm in the district. Gurpurbs are the largest religious festivals of the Sikhs which are celebrated with great devotion and love for the Gurus. A large number of Hindus also participate in these celebrations. Big diwans are held on the birthdays of Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh and on the martrydom days of Guru Arjan DEV and Guru Tegh Bahadur. The Gurpurb of Guru Ravi Dass is also celebrated... [continues]

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