The Legend of Diwali

The legend related to Diwali is that King Dashrath had three wives namely Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra and four sons Ram, Bharat, Laxman and Shatrughna. Ram was the son of Queen Kaushalya and Bharat was the son of Queen Kaikeyi. Kaikeyi wanted Bharat to be the next King while the King Dasharath wanted Ram, his eldest son to be the King. But Kaikeyi made full use of the two wishes King Dasharath had promised Kaikeyi and asked for sending Ram to exile for the period of fourteen years. During that time Lord Ram fought and won strenuous struggles in the southern part of the Indian sub-continent (which is now Sri Lanka) killing the king of Demons, Ravan who had forcibly taken away his wife Sita. Diwali marks his victorious return to his kingdom along with Hanuman, the Vanar (monkey-God) who helped him in achieving success.

People give expressions to their happiness by lighting earthen diyas and decorating the houses to welcome Lakshmi- the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, bursting fire crackers and inviting the near and dear ones to their households for partaking in the luxurious feast. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to God for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and fame and it also signifies goodness. It is also marked as the beginning of the Hindu New Year and as a brand new beginning for all. Diwali is celebrated for five days, each day having it's own significance, rituals and myths.