Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Lights. It is celebrated on the second to the last new moon of the year. According to hindu mythology, Diwali, was the homecoming of King Rama after a 14-year exile in the forest. The people of his kingdom welcomed Rama home by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deepa), thus its name, Deepawali, or simply shortened as Diwali.
The festival marks the victory of good over evil, and uplifting of spiritual darkness. Symbolically it marks the homecoming of goodwill and faith after an absence, as suggested by the story of Ramayana.
Traditionally a Lakshmi Puja (or offering of worship) is given in honor of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and Ganesha, the God of auspicious beginnings are worshipped across Hindu homes.
There are two legends that associate the worship of Goddess Lakshmi on this day. According to first one, on this day, Goddess Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagar, the Ocean of Milk, during the great churning of the oceans, Samudra manthan. The second legend relates to the Vamana avatar of Vishnu, the incarnation he took to kill the demon king Bali, thereafter it was on this day, that Vishnu came back to his abode, the Vaikuntha, so those who worship Lakshmi (Vishnu's consort) on this day, get the benefit of her benevolent mood, and are blessed with mental, physical and material well-being.
So take the opportunity to give thanks for the prosperity and abundance in your own life as well as send well wishes that prosperity be a part of the lives of others.
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