Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 7: 'Deepavali' or 'Diwali' happens to be the festival of lights being celebrated all over the world. This is the occasion to celebrate the victory of knowledge over ignorance, good over the evil in the form of Lord Krishna along with his consort, Satyabhama, annihilating Narakasura, offering of puja to Goddess Lakshmi who controls wealth and money, inviting erstwhile king, Lord Bali who was pushed to the netherworld by Lord Vishnu, to visit the earth and partake the offerings, and worship the cattle.

The festival begins with Dhan Teras and ends with 'Bhai Dooj' that is more prevalent in northern India. People light different kinds of lamps, burst crackers, distribute sweets by visiting houses, and arrange for sumptuous feast for close ones besides visiting temples. Houses and shops are elaborately decorated and the ladies in particular wear new dresses and enjoy in the company of their close ones.

Deepavali is the occasion on which every nook and corner of the houses are cleared of the clutter, idols of gods are wiped clean, and shops and establishments are put in order. Many businessmen start their new accounting year on Deepavali. The celebration of the festival of lights reaches its zenith on the third day, which is the new moon day of the month.

Daijiworld wishes its readers a happy Deepavali. May the festival bring affluence, cheers and loads of good luck to each one of you and the country as a whole, and may the dreams of everyone of you come true.