One of the two most famous Indian Festivals, Diwali or Deepavali is celebrated throughout India with a great fervor and enthusiasm.

The word "Diwali" is derived from the Sanskrit word "Deepavali" meaning a "row of lights".

The festival actually is five-day long. It usually comes is October or November.

1.       The First Day or Dhanteras: Dhanteras marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations. This day has a great importance for the rich mercantile community of western India. Houses and business premises are renovated and decorated.

2.       The Second Day or Choti Diwali: The second day of Diwali is called Narak Chaturdasi or Choti Diwali. . On this day Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear.

3.       The Third day or Main Diwali: This is the day when worship of Mother Lakshmi is performed. Hindus believe that Goddess Lakshmi will bring the blessings of wealth and prosperity, the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

4.       The Fourth Day or Padwa: Govardhana Puja is also performed in this day.

5.       The Fifth day or Bhai Duj: The fifth day of the diwali is called Bhai Duj. On this day sisters perform puja for their brothers safety and well-being. Brothers in return give Bhai Dooj Gifts to their sisters as a token of love.

There are various mythological events associated with Diwali. For this reason people celebrate Diwali in different ways in different regions of the country, symbolizing the "rich" diversity and culture of Hinduism.

Some of these mythological events include.

1.       Emergence of Lakshmi: Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, was incarnated on the new moon day (amaavasyaa) of the Kartik month during the churning of the ocean (samudra-manthan).

2.       Goddess Kali: In Bengal, Diwali festival is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Kali. Kali is the fearful and ferocious form of the goddess Durga.

3.       The Victory of Rama: Diwali also commemorates the return of Lord Rama along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman from his fourteen year long exile after defeating the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst crackers.

4.       The Return of the Pandavas: Diwali has its origin in Mahabharata too. In 'Kartik Amavashya' the Pandavas appeared from their 12 years of banishment as a result of their defeat in the hands of the Kauravas at the game of dice (gambling). The subjects who loved the Pandavas celebrated the day by lighting the earthen lamps.

5.       Krishna Killed Narakasur: Another Diwali legend talks about the Demon named Narakasur who had managed to acquire such awesome powers. He was killed and defeated by Lord Krishna. As a symbol of that victory Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with the demon king's blood. Krishna returned home early morning on the day of Narakachaturdashi.

6.       The Legend of King Bali: There is another legend regarding Diwali. To curb King Bali's powers Lord Vishnu visited him in the guise of a diminutive brahman - "Vamana and pushed him down to the underworld. At the same time, for his generosity, Lord Vishnu gave him the lamp of knowledge and allowed him to return to earth once a year to light millions of lamps in order to dispel darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love and wisdom.

7.       Lord Ganesha: Lord Ganesha the elephant-headed God, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is also worshipped in most Hindu homes on this day.