Deepavali is a festival of lights. Diwali is a corrupt form of Deepavali. Deepavali means row of lights. It is a symbol of victory of light over darkness. People celebrate Deepavali as they have come to light out of darkness.

Deepavali comes on the new moon day in the ‘Aswayuja month’. It is preceded by ‘Naraka Chaturdasi’ on which day Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura with the help of his wife Satyabhama. It is celebrated all over India. Deepavali is a day meant to do ‘Pujas’ to Goddess ‘Lakshmi’ the Goddess of wealth.

There are many other reasons given to celebrate Deepavali. Jains say that Lord Mahavira attained ‘Nirvana’ and went to heaven on that day. The Hindus believe that it is the day on which Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after vanquishing Ravana.

Deepavali is a two day festival. In South India the Naraka Chaturdasi is also considered important. The newly weds go to their in­laws houses without fail. Houses are white washed, painted, and cleaned. Everyone wears new clothes after oil-bath on Naraka Chaturdasi day. People celebrate the victory of Lord Krishna by burning crackers.

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Deepavali, the next day, is Lakshmi Puja Day. Merchants and shop­keepers close their accounts of the previous year and open new accounts. Shops are well decorated and alms are given to the poor. By evening all the houses are decorated with lamps. Rich people decorate their houses with good illumination. Those who observe tradition light oil lamps. Girls and women take a lot of time arranging the lamps. Then the Gouri Puja or Lakshmi Puja starts. An idol of Gouri is made and it is decorated with all jewels. Rich food is offered to the deity and prayers are said requesting the deity to give wealth. Merchants do the Lakshmi Puja late in the night and keep awake. They believe Goddess Lakshmi enters their houses at midnight.

Deepavali is a festival enjoyed by everyone. Every housewife purchases something new in the shape of gold. Purchase of silk sarees is a must for the festival. There are some ill-effects also. People indulge in gambling on Diwali day and lose a lot of money. Burning crackers injures a few. It is a festival of lights and a festival of joy throughout India.