Festivals are too human like what an oasis is to a desert. If there were no festivals, our life would be dull and hopeless. Fortunately India is a land of festivals. Their fun, gaiety and rejoicing keep her people happy, fresh and energetic. Deepawali is one of the gayest and brightest festivals.

Deepawali is a festival of lights. It comes in the month of Kartik (October/November) on Amavasya day. It is celebrated in the memory of the return of Rama to Ayodhya, after 14 years of exile. He got victory over Ravan, the king of Lanka.

Hence, people of Ayodhya illuminated the city to welcome their victorious Rama and express their joy ever since Deepavali has been celebrated with great pomp and show every year throughout the country.

Deepawali is also considered as the festival of cleanliness. All sections of the Hindu community observe it by repairing, whitewashing or dung coating their homes. The Hindu believes that the Goddess of wealth (Laxmi) would not enter their homes if they are kept unclean. Hence, they make their houses a fit place for the Goddess by decorating them with pictures, festoons and buntings.

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The sight of the evening is more beautiful. Not only the houses but the whole market looks bright and charming. The sweet shops give a very charming look. The sweets are put in an attractive manner.

People worship the Goddess Laxmi and pray for their prosperity. Traders also perform Laxmi pooja for good future. Earthen lamps and candles are lit in every house. The women prepare many kinds of sweets and other tasty food items. Children look gay in new dresses.

The whole environment becomes bright in the night. In cities and towns electric bulbs are lighted. People especially children enjoy crackers too to mark the joyous day. Hundreds of firecrackers can be seen glowing and then bursting as though it was a battle of glows and sparks in the skies.

But this practice pollutes the atmosphere. There is not only noise pollution but air pollution too. Both are injurious for our health. People become so engrossed in fireworks that they forget that they are polluting air, which is the base of our life.

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The sky at the Deepawali night looks full of smoke. If people do not care for money, it’s alright but they must think over the issue of pollution, which they intensify with their act.

There is also a tradition of gambling on the Diwali night. Needless to say that this is also bad practice which should be uprooted at all cost.

On the whole Deepawali is a festival which brings joy for all of us. Hence it is celebrated with great enthusiasm. It symbolises the victory of light over darkness.