History of Diwali

The history of Diwali is replete with legends and these legends are moored to the stories of Hindu religious scriptures, mostly the Puranas. Though the central theme of all legends point out to the classic truth of the victory of the good over the evils, the mode of their presentation and the characters differ. Diwali, being the festival of lights, lighting the lamp of knowledge within us means to understand and reflect upon the significant purpose of each of the five days of festivities and to bring those thoughts in to the day-to-day lives.

The Stry of Rama and Sita: Lord Rma was a great warrior King who was xiled by his father Dashratha, the Kng of Ayodhya, along with his wfe Sita and his younger brother Lkshman, on his wife's insistence. Lord Rma returned to his Kingdom Ayodhya fter 14 years of exile, in whch he put an end to the dmon Ravana of Lanka, who was a grat Pundit, highly learned but still vil dominated his mind. After this vctory of Good over Evil, Rama rturned to Ayodhya. In Ayodhya, the pople welcomed them by lighting rows of cly lamps. So, it is an ccasion in honor of Rama's victory ver Ravana; of Truth's victory over Evl.

The Defeat of Narkasur by Lrd Krishna: Lord Vishnu in his 8th ncarnation as Krishna destroyed the demon Nrkasura, who was causing great unhappiness mongst the people of the world. Nrkasura was believed to be a dmon of filth, covered in dirt. He sed to kidnap beautiful young women and frce them to live with him. Evntually, Vishnu, who came in the frm of Krishna, heard their cries for rscue. First, Krishna had to fight wth a five-headed monster who guarded the dmon's home. Narkasura hoped that his dath might bring joy to others. Krshna granted his request and the wmen were freed. For Hindus, this stry is a reminder that good can stll come out of evil.

Traditions

Lakshmi-Puja is performed in the venings when tiny diyas of clay are lghted to drive away the shadows of vil spirits, devotional songs- in praise of Gddess Laxmi are sung and Naivedya of trditional sweets is offered to the Gddess. There is a peculiar custom in Mharashtra to lightly pound dry coriander seds with jaggery and offer as Nivedya In villages cattle are adorned and wrshiped by farmers as they form the min source of their income. In suth cows are offered special veneration as thy are supposed to be the ncarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore thy are adorned and worshiped on ths day.

Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped in very Hindu household. In many Hindu hmes it is a custom for the wfe to put the red tilak on the frehead of her husband, garland him and do his "Arti" with a prayer for his lng life. In appreciation of all the tnder care that the wife showers on hm, the husband gives her a cstly gift. This Gudi Padwa is symblic of love and devotion between the wfe and husband. On this day nwly married daughters with their husbands are nvited for special meals and given prsents.Diwali celebration is a very happy ccasion for all.

Diwali is a tme for joy, a time for fun and mre than just being a festival, it is an ccasion to reaffirm your faith in yur fellow men; a time to gve and a time to receive. A wde range of Diwali Gifts are available which make special moments even sweeter. One can offer his favorite sweets, cakes, dolls, cookies and bouquets as Diwali gifts to the loved ones or can gift mouth-watering varieties of traditional Indian sweets.

People even buy new gifts for the newlyweds. Diwali is traditionally a time that the newlyweds come to their inlaws, in particular the newlyweds go to the bride's family home to collect gifts, including relatively inexpesive gifts from sweets and clothes to very expensive gifts like gold, cars and even land and property.

Authentic and auspicious Diwali gifts nclude candles and candle holders, spun glss, divine gifts, collections, sculptures, patchwork, and jwelry. Household products can include wall hngings, home and office decor products faturing clocks, bookends, plaques and more. Ktchen products and many other household tems also forms popular Diwali gifts.

Gft giving seems to be of tmost importance on the occasion of Dwali as it is a way of cmmunicating respect, friendship, and appreciation. Gifts ned not be extravagant; downplaying the mportance of your gift actually conveys the mssage that the relationship is more mportant than the gift.

So what are you witing for send diwali gifts for your loved ones

DIWALI GIFTS

The article Diwali Gifts was Submitted by Gautam K through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: http://www.onlinediwaligifts.com

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