Jeetish Bundela's: Diwali Special

Diwali, the name of this festival is enough to bring a smile to any Indian.

Diwali falls in months of October / November, and according to Hindu calendar, it falls on kartak month and according to bikram samvat, it falls on 15^th day of the month. Diwali signifies victory of light over darkness, good over evil and hope over despair.

Every Indian celebrates Diwali. It is a five day festival observed over many countries and everyone is given an official holiday. Millions of people decorate their houses and prepare rangolis. The buildings and houses are covered with lights, lanterns, diyas, candles, and vivid colors.

People buy gold, diamonds, clothes, and everything. It beginning of New Year for Hindus. People start fresh. Businesses end their accounts and start their new books. Children are given gifts. All the families have sweets, dry fruits, new clothes, fruits during Diwali. There is happiness in whole country. Gujaratis travel during Diwali breaks. Schools and colleges are shut down for almost 15-20 days marking the festival holidays.

Diwali is festival of peace, light, victory, happiness, and purity. The five days of Diwali begin with Dhanteras as day 1, where goddess Lakshmi and gold ornaments is worshipped, all the people worship and pray for flourished business and better and good financial conditions for future. They pray for better living and ask goddess Lakshmi to show mercy on them.

Second day is marked as kali chaudasa, marking death of naraksura by Krishna and on this people decorate their homes and prepare different types of patterns namely rangoli. The third day signifies Diwali, the festival of lights and the next day is New Year, where all new accounting books are initiated, Businessmen start their new ventures. People go to their friends and relatives to wish them New Year wishes and mark better relations. The last day is Bhai dooj / Bhai bij. The celebration of sister – brother relationship. It is similar to raksha bandhan and it emphasizes on lifelong relation of siblings.

Fireworks are the major attraction during Diwali. Lakhs of rupees are invested in fireworks. The fireworks shows are organised in cities and there are many different varieties every year. Children are happy to light the rockets and see them burst. Diwali is one abnormal and favourite festival of Indians. Even police officers try to make public happy and they show mercy on roads.

Being born in Rajkot, I have travelled many places and after my experiences I can tell that Rajkot is one the of the best places to celebrate Diwali. Every Year Rajkot is decorated like a newlywed Bride and special events are organised. The roads are fixed, walls are painted, government offices are installed with decorative lights and lanterns, and every home is ready to roll. This is one of the best experiences during Diwali. One of the best things here celebrated is the Fireworks Show by Rajkot Municipal Corporation. There are thousands of fireworks and along with that Laser shows. Entire population can see that in sky, and at that time, the sky is lit along with earth.

This Year Mystic Grooves ( Band ) too performed thier specials in the town.

This year Diwali is too special as for writing this article, many friends have helped and without them, this would not be possible. As we say in Hindi –

“Yeh Diwali, Doston Ke Naam…..”

Thank you every one. Thank you Smit Mehta, Ghanshyam Zaveri and Samarth Mandavia for pictures.

ARTICLE IN TIMES OF INDIA.

- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/diwali-carnival-launched-with-fanfare/articleshow/61107457.cms

"Apart from the fireworks, the laser light show, serial lighting of different colours and designs and 'Rangoli' of various hues and shapes are part of the carnival. There will be 700 Rangolis drawn by 3,000 artists in the form of a necklace around the Race Course Ring Road, in which 4,000kg paint has been used. That aside, there have been 10 stages set up along the road on which 'Garba' and musical evening programmes will be organized. The citizens will be able to enjoy laser light show every night during the carnival," said an RMC official.

Here are some of the Pictures of the Celebration of Diwali.

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