Diwali is one of the most important festivals of Hindus. Diwali is also know as “Festival of lights” and is celebrated in almost every part of India on the 15th day of the month of Kartika according to the Indian lunar calendar. Diwali has its origin in the ancient India when it used to be celebrated as an important harvest festival. According to some other legends, this festival is the celebration of the marriage of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laksmi. In Bengal, people worship Goddess Kali, the Goddess of strength. On this occasion, people worship Lord Ganesha, who is the symbol of wisdom and auspiciousness. Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the return of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman from their exile of fourteen years. The Diwali festival is of four days and each day is connected with a particular tale. The first day is called Naraka Chaturdasi when the demon Naraka was killed by lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. On the secondday, Amavasya, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. The fourth day is the celebration of Bhaiduj when the sisters invite brothers to their houses. On Diwali, people wear new clothes, clean their houses, illuminate their houses with lights and lamps and make different types of sweets. Bursting of fire-crackers is also done on Diwali. All these represent the win of the good over the bad. In some places in India, gambling is also practiced on Diwali.
