As the nation gears up to celebrate the festival of lights, Diwali, we bring to you facts about Diwali that makes this festival so unique.
1.) If you follow the Gregorian calendar, Diwali might fall on a different date every year. However, one of the interesting facts about Diwali is that according to the Hindu calendar it falls on the same day every year. Diwali is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the month of Kartika and it coincides with a “no moon”.
2.) This festival that signifies the victory of light over darkness also marks the return of LordRam, his wife Sita and younger brother Laxman from fourteen years of exile. Diwali is also a festival celebrated in honour of the Hindu Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Laxmi.
3.) Another one of the interesting facts about Diwali is that it marks that time of the year when Hindus shop for jewellery, home décor and basically anything that they have been saving for. This time is usually observed by sales and huge discounts.
4.) There exists a tradition of cleaning each and every corner of the house before Diwali amongst Hindus. Another important tradition is to light earthen lamps called diyas and to leave them burning all night.
5.) Diwali is not limited just to India, one of the most intriguing facts about Diwali is that it is a day of national holiday in Nepal, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago apart from India. Pakistan also provides an optional holiday on Diwali.
6.) The lightening of diyas and leaving them overnight, the extensive cleaning of houses and making of colourful rangolis are all done to attract the Goddess of wealth, Laxmi so that she pays a nocturnal visit and the household is blessed with wealth and prosperity.
7.) Leicester, the English city is the host to the grandest Diwali celebration outside India.