how did diwali start

2 ANSWERS

1. Guest1988
   

   Diwali is known as the Festival of Lights, it is an important 5-day festival in Hinduism, Sikhism  and Jainism, occurring between mid of October and mid of November. It is an official holiday in India, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Mauritius, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Fiji.
   There are various legends pointing to the origin of Diwali. Some believe it to be the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. Whereas in Bengal the festival is dedicated to the worship of Mother Kali, the goddess of strength. Lord Ganesha, the elephant headed God, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is also worshipped in most Hindu homes on this day. Diwali also commemorates the return of Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshman from his fourteen year long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst crackers.

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2. Guest8374
   

   Diwali derived from 'Dipavali' popularly known as the "Festival of Lights".
   The meaning of Dipavali is 'row of lamps'.
   
   In Hinduism, Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya
   after defeating Ravana, the ruler of Lanka in the Epic Ramayana.

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