Diwali, Divali, Dewali, Deepavali (Buddhism, Hindu, India)

Diwali is a five day Hindu festival which occurs on the fifteenth day of Kartika.

Diwali means "rows of lighted lamps" and the celebration is often referred to as the Festival of Lights. During this time, homes are thoroughly cleaned and windows are opened to welcome Lakshmi, goddess of wealth. Candles and lamps are lit as a greeting to Lakshmi. Gifts are exchanged and festive meals are prepared during Diwali. The celebration means as much to Hindus as Christmas does to Christians.

Because there are many regions in India, there are many manifestations of the Diwali festival. In at least one area, the festival begins with Dhanteras, a day set aside to worship Lakshmi. In the Indian culture, wealth is not viewed as a corruptive power. Instead, a wealthy person is considered to have been rewarded for good deeds of a past life.

Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (diyas) or Deep in Sanskrit: दीप) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. During Diwali celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends. Some Indian business communities begin the financial year on the first day of Diwali, hoping for prosperity the following year.

In Hinduism, Deepavali marks the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating (the demon king) Ravana, the ruler of Lanka, in the epic Ramayana. In Jainism, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha by Mahavira in 527 BC.^[4][5] In Sikhism, Deepavali commemorates the return ofGuru Har Gobind Ji to Amritsar after freeing 52 Hindu kings imprisoned in Fort Gwalior by Emperor Jahangir; the people lit candles and diyas to celebrate his return. This is the reason Sikhs also refer to Deepavali as Bandi Chhorh Divas, "the day of release of detainees". Deepavali is considered a national festival in India and Nepal. They never start Deepavali in debt.

A very interesting story about this day is of the sixteen year old son of King Hima. As per his horoscope he was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. On that particular fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's boudoir and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. And she went on telling stories and singing songs. When Yama the god of Death arrived there in the guise of a serpent his eyes were suddenly blinded by the dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of Yamadeepdaan and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yama, the god of Death.

 On the day of Diwali people dedicate themselves to lighting lamps and praying. On this day, people believe that the lighting of lamps expels ignorance and heralds a future full of joy and laughter. The story behind this holiday tradition revolves around King Bali of the nether world. His mighty power had become a threat to the gods. In order to curb his powers Lord Vishnu in the guise of a small boy (batu waman) visited him and begged him to give him as much land as he could cover with his three steps. Known for his philanthropy, King Bali proudly granted him his wish. That very moment that small boy transformed himself into the all-powerful Lord Vishnu. With his first step Lord Vishnu covered the entire heaven and with the second step he covered the earth. Before taking the third and final step, Lord Vishnu asked Bali where he should make his third step. Bali offered his head. Putting his foot on his head, Vishnu pushed him down to the underworld. At the same time for his generosity Lord Vishnu gave him the lamp of knowledge and allowed him to return to earth once a year to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love and wisdom.

Take flowers or unbroken grains of rice in your hands. Meditate upon the goddess, saying:

YA SA PADMA SANASTHA VIPULA KATI TATI PADMA PATRA YAT AKSI
GAM BHIRA VARTANA BHISTANA BHARANA MITA SUBHRA VASTRO TTARIYA YA LAKSMIR DIVYA RUPA IRMANI GANA KHA CITAIH SNA PITA HEMA KUMBH AIH SA NITYAM PADMA HASTA MAMA VASATU GRHE SARVA MANGALYA YUKTA SWAHA

Lakshmi who is seated on a lotus, has eyes as wide as lotus petals, massive hips, deep navel, and heave breasts, wears white upper and lower garments, wears jewelry, is bathed from a golden pitcher, carries a lotus in her hand, and is associated with every auspicious sign, let her reside in my house. Drop the flowers and the rice at the feet of the goddess.

Recite the following mantra for 2000 times on deepavali day.  All desires will be fulfilled.

OM NAMO BHAGAVATHE SREE PARSHWANATHAAYA HREEM

DHARENDRA PADHYAAVATHEE SAHITHAAYA ATTE MUTTE

KSHUDRA VIDHATTE KSHUDRAANA STHAMBHAYA STHAMBHAYA

DUSHTAAANA GHOORAYA GHOORAYA MANOVAANCHITHA POORAYA POORAYA  SWAHA.