A glimpse of the festival of lights in New Delhi
People in New Delhi celebrated Diwali, or Deepavali as it is popularly known in India, with an infectious enthusiasm and energy. Diwali is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in autumn across the nation. Spiritually, it signifies the victory of light over darkness and of good over evil. Diwali marks the homecoming of Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana, after 14 years in exile. To honour the return and illuminate their path, villagers had then lit up diyas (earthen lamps) to welcome them and since then every year, people follow the same.
The celebrations include decorating homes, temples, offices and residential societies with lights, diyas, flowers and rangolis (floor art); wearing new clothes and participating in family prayers. Furthermore, Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth and prosperity – is also worshipped on this day.
