Essay on Diwali for Students and Children
The Festival of Lights
Diwali is one of the biggest and most important festivals in India.
It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and even some Buddhists all across India and the world.
The name “Diwali” comes from the Sanskrit word “dipavali” which means “row of lights.”
During Diwali, homes are decorated with little oil lamps called diyas.
Colorful rangoli designs are made on the floor using colored powders, rice, or sand.
Fireworks light up the night sky. Families get together to celebrate, exchange gifts, eat delicious foods, and rejoice.
But what is Diwali really all about?
Let me explain!
The Story of Diwali
There are different stories and myths about why Diwali is celebrated. The most popular one is about Lord Rama. Lord Rama was the prince of Ayodhya.
After defeating the evil king Ravana and rescuing his wife Sita, he finally returned home after 14 years of exile.
The people of Ayodhya decorated the whole kingdom with little diyas to celebrate Rama’s victorious return and the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
Another story is about Lord Krishna defeating the cruel king Narakasura.
After killing Narakasura, Lord Krishna returned to his people and instructed them to light diyas to celebrate freedom from oppression.
In the Jain tradition, Diwali marks the anniversary of Lord Mahavira attaining Nirvana or eternal bliss.
Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas on Diwali, which commemorates the release of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, from imprisonment by the Mughal emperor.
So while there are different reasons behind it, the spirit of Diwali remains the same – the celebration of the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.
The Five Days of Diwali
The Diwali festivities traditionally last for five days:
Day 1 – Dhanteras: This day marks the beginning of Diwali. People buy new clothes, jewelry, and utensils.
It is considered auspicious to buy something made of metal or precious metals on this day.
Day 2 – Choti Diwali/Naraka Chaturdasi: Small diyas are lit outside homes to mark Lord Krishna’s victory over Narakasura.
Families get together to prepare sweets and snacks for the upcoming Diwali festivities.
Day 3 – Diwali/Lakshmi Puja: This is the main festival day! Homes are decorated with rangolis, diyas are lit in the evening, and the atmosphere is filled with joy.
Families perform the Lakshmi Puja to seek divine blessings from the Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Friends and relatives exchange gifts and sweets.
Day 4 – Govardhan Puja: After Diwali, this day honors Lord Krishna’s victory over Indra, the god of thunder and rain.
Families build small symbolic replicas of the Govardhan hill and go around it as a ritual.
Day 5 – Bhai Dooj: This is the last day of Diwali when sisters perform a ceremony for their brothers’ well-being and happiness. Brothers give gifts to their sisters in return.
Diwali Celebrations
The main Diwali celebration happens on the third day when the whole atmosphere is electric with joy and festivity!
Here are some of the highlights:
Lighting of Diyas: As the name suggests, Diwali is truly the “festival of lights.” Every home, big or small, is decorated with rows of beautiful clay diyas or lamps.
The warm glow of these lamps signifies the victory of light over darkness.
Fireworks: No Diwali is complete without fireworks! As night falls, the skies are illuminated by magnificent fireworks displays.
Kids and adults alike enjoy bursting crackers like rockets, sparklers, and other colorful pyrotechnics.
Rangoli Designs: Vibrant rangoli designs are made on the floors of homes and buildings using colored powders, rice, sand or flowers.
These designs are meant to welcome the goddess Lakshmi and bring good luck.
Sweets & Food: India is famous for its mouth-watering sweets and savory snacks. During Diwali, every household prepares an array of delicious treats like laddoos, barfis, jalebis, chaklis, sev and many more!
Friends and families exchange these sweets as gifts.
Shopping: New clothes and gifts are a big part of Diwali celebrations. Weeks before the festival, markets are buzzing with people shopping for new outfits, jewelry, home decorations, sweets and gifts for loved ones.
Visiting Temples: Many devotees visit temples and offer prayers to deities like Lakshmi, Ganesha and Saraswati.
The temples are beautifully decorated and illuminated for the occasion.
Family Time: Above all, Diwali is a time for family reunions and get-togethers. Family members living abroad or in different cities make an effort to visit their homes.
The celebrations are vibrant with the spirit of love and togetherness.
You may want to read more:
Diwali Across India
While Diwali is celebrated across India, the customs and traditions vary slightly in different regions:
North India: In states like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan, Diwali is celebrated with great pomp and show.
Millions of diyas and colorful rangolis adorn every street and neighborhood. Gambling is also a popular pastime, especially playing cards.
Gujarat: The Gujarati Diwali celebrations give a lot of prominence to the Lakshmi Puja.
Every business establishment is decorated, and the Puja is performed to seek blessings for prosperous business. The Gujarati new year also starts after Diwali.
East India: In states like West Bengal and Odisha, Kali Puja takes precedence over Diwali festivities.
However, the five-day celebration and customs like lighting diyas remain similar.
South India: In the southern states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Diwali is celebrated in a unique way by worshipping cows and their calves.
The tradition has an interesting legend attached to it about Lord Krishna.
Diwali Around the World
Thanks to the global Indian diaspora, Diwali is now celebrated with great zeal in many countries worldwide like the USA, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa and more.
Colorful Diwali fairs, activities and events are organized by Indian community groups.
Major landmarks across countries like the Empire State Building, Trafalgar Square, and Singapore’s Little India precinct are illuminated in a dazzling array of lights to celebrate the “Festival of Lights.”
Cultural programs showcase classical Indian dance, music and skits about the significance of Diwali.
Diwali – The Festival of Joy
At its core, Diwali is all about spreading light, love, knowledge and joy.
It celebrates the eternal human values of overcoming evil with goodness, removing ignorance with wisdom, and upholding righteousness.
The bright colors, lively celebrations, mouth-watering sweets and family togetherness make Diwali a truly magical experience.
It’s a time to let go of past grievances, welcome blissful new beginnings and renew the bonds of love and care with friends and family.
Happy Diwali!
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