Deepavali

The night is black Kindle the lamp of LOVE With thy life and devotion.
Rabindranath Tagore

Significence

Why Do we Celebrate Deepavali
Deepavali is celebrated on Naraka chathurthasi day just on the dawn of Ammavasya during the Hindu month of Aasvayuja (September/October) every year. The word "Diwali" as popularly called is the corruption of the Sanskrit word "Deepavali" Deepa meaning light and Avali, meaning a row. It means a row of lights and indeed illumination forms its main attraction.
    
It is surmised dates back to that period when perhaps history was not written, and in its progress through centuries it lighted path of thousands to attain the ultimate good and complete ecstasy. Deepavali is very enthusiastically celebrated for Two days and each day has its significance with a number of myths, legends and beliefs.
 

Mythology
So What Happend on that Day ?

It is said that Deepvali is celebrated for victory of gods over demons. It is Said that The Demon King Narakasura who used to harass people was killed in a battle by Lord Krishna with the help of Satyabama his wife.Narakachaturdasi is the day the demon Narakasura was killed. This Narakachaturdashi day therefore is dedicated to lights and prayers heralding a future full of joy and laughter.

Deepavali is the most important day when the Lord Krishna and His Wife Come back from the Battle Ground and Crackers are burnt to Let the Universe know about this victory.
 

Rituals
Deepavali is the most important day of LAKSHMI-PUJA which is entirely devoted to the propitiation of Goddess Lakshmi.

The day of Lakshmi-Puja falls on the dark night of Amavasya. The strains of joyous sounds of bells and drums float from the temples as man is invoking Goddess Lakshmi in a wondrous holy "pouring-in" of his heart. All of a sudden that impenetrable darkness is pierced by innumerable rays of light for just a moment and the next moment a blaze of light descends down to earth from heaven as golden-footed Deep-Lakshmi alights on earth in all her celestial glory amidst chantings of Vedic hymns. A living luminance of Universal Motherhood envelopes the entire world in that blessed moment of fulfillment of a long-awaited dream of the mortal. A sublime light of knowledge dawns upon humanity and devotion of man finally conquers ignorance. This self enlightenment is expressed through the twinkling lamps that illuminate the palaces of the wealthy as well as the lowly abodes of the poor. It is believed that on this day Lakshmi walks through the green fields and loiters through the bye-lanes and showers her blessings on man for plenty and prosperity. When the sun sets in the evening and ceremonial worship is finished all the home-made sweets are offered to the goddess as "NAIVEDYA" and distributed as "PRASAD". Feasts are arranged and gifts are exchanged on this day gaily dressed men, women and children go to temples and fairs, visit friends and
relatives. Everything is gay, gold and glitter!

Crackers
Deepavali is more popular for Crackers.  Crackers are lit with much farvour. But before Start cracking one should start the celebration with lighting up a cloath that is dipped in Oil and hitting to ground for three times.

Gambling
One of the most curious customs which characterises this festival of Diwali is the indulgence of gambling, specially on a
large scale in North India. It is believed that goddess Parvati played dice with her husband, Lord Shiv on this day and she
decreed that whosoever gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the ensuring year. This tradition of playing cards-
flush and rummy with stakes on this particular day continues even to-day.

Rangoli
During Deepavali, Goddess Lakshmi is believed to visit homes that are well lit, so families decorate their homes in a bright manner. The whole object of making rangoli during Deepavali is to welcome Goddess Laxmi, the Godess of wealth into one's house. A Rangoli design is created on doorsteps to welcome everybody who enter the house.

During Deepavali, the rangoli drawn is very symbolic. It is used to denote the deity. Motifs which signify unity between nature and man are created like lotus, fish, birds, snakes etc. Most of the rangoli designs are circular in shape; this denotes a sense of endlessness of time.

Celestial symbols such as the sun, moon and other zodiac signs are common themes for rangoli. Goddess Lakshmi in the lotus symbolizes the figure of renewed life.

Most Rangolis are basically geometric patterns formed with dots and lines to make squares, circles, swastikas, lotus, trident, fish, conch shells, footprints, creepers and trees. Rangoli designing enables one to unleash their creativity.

The raw materials mainly used in making a rangoli are edibles like rice flour, pulse and leaves. The material mostly used is rice flour or rice paste, because rice is a sign of prosperity to all Indians. The rangoli is colored in shades of White, Yellow and Vermilion. These shades are considered to be very auspicious and are believed to be a symbol of peace and prosperity.