The Story Behind Diwali

By Ritvi Jain, Grade 6

Diwali is a holiday that many Indians celebrate. It is celebrated on Karthik Purnima, which is the day of the full moon in the lunar Sanskrit month of Karthikamasam. People celebrate with light and diyas. Diyas are containers in the shape of water drops and they are made of clay and sometimes have jewels. On Diwali, people fill the diyas with oil and put a wick in it, and light it with fire. People light firecrackers with the fire from the Diya. Diwali is a holiday that celebrates the victory of light over dark, and when Hindu Lord Rama came back home after 14 years. Diwali has been celebrated for a very long time and it has evolved over the years.

Sometimes, this Hindu holiday can also be called Deepavali. The name "Diwali" is Sanskrit for "row of lights," as in this holiday, you light diyas and place them in rows. Rangoli, a sand or powder design on the ground, is popular during this holiday to symbolize divine energy. It is also drawn to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, who is a Hindu goddess. People celebrate

quite a lot during Diwali. The largest Diwali celebration that happens every year is held in India. Outside of India, the largest Diwali celebration is held in Leicester, United Kingdom. Thousands of people gather to watch the show of lights and dance.

Diwali is the largest Hindu holiday, but it is not only celebrated by Hindus. In Jainism, it was celebrated when 18 kings gathered for Mahavira's last teaching in 527 BC. It is also celebrated by Sikhs and Buddhists, but everybody celebrates them for the same reason: light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.

What do you think about Diwali? Do you celebrate Diwali? A lot of people celebrated Diwali in different ways, so how do you celebrate it? Diwali has been around for centuries and it will probably never go away. Diwali is a fun, happy, religious holiday that is celebrated in one way or another around the world.