6 Facts about Diwali you may not have known

For the Hindu community, Diwali is synonymous with November. This year Diwali will be celebrated on Saturday, 14 November. Diwali or Deepavali is Hindu for the festival of lights, celebrating the triumph of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

1. Diwali is an important religious festival that originated in India. Although people think of it as a Hindu festival, it is also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains.

2. Diwali takes place annually and lasts for five days, marking the start of the Hindu New Year. The exact dates change each year and are determined by the position of the moon.

3. Diwali honours the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. The lights and lamps are said to help Lakshmi find her way into peoples’ homes, bringing prosperity in the year to come.

4. In northern India, Hindus celebrate the return of the deities or gods Rama and Sita to the city of Ayodhya, after defeating the evil king Ravana.

5. In the region of Bengal people worship the goddess Kali, the destroyer of evil forces, during Diwali. And in Nepal people celebrate Lord Krishna’s victory over the wicked king Narakaasura.

6. But it’s not just about lights and legends –– Diwali is a time to have fun with friends and family! People exchange gifts and sweets, enjoy delicious feasts, watch firework displays and wear new clothes. It’s a time to clean and decorate your home, too.

Source: Natgeokids.com