Festivals of India

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Deepavali -- The Festival of Lights
Page Last Updated: February 17, 2024

Request to the Lord
...from darkness to light,
...from ignorance to knowledge,
...from death to eternal life
lead me, my master;
let thy peace pervade the universe.

-- from a Hindu prayer

Diwali or Deepavali, the festival of "rows of lights", is one of the most important of all Hindu festivals. It is believed that it was on this day that Lord Rama entered Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile. Deepavali is also celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi, the day when the demon of darkness and dirt, Narakasura, was destroyed by Lord Krishna. The celebrations commence with a purifying oil bath and the lighting of lamps, symbolic of the spiritual light pervading the earth and the destruction of darkness and ignorance.  

© K. L. Kamat
Fireworks During the Deepavali Festival
Fireworks During the Deepavali Festival
 

© K. L. Kamat
Deepavali - from a North Indian Painting

 


Deepavali Festival Decoration in Rangoli

© K. L. Kamat
Burning lamp design for Deepavali
A Rangoli Design for Deepavali 

© Vikas Kamat
Woman with an Oil Lamp

Diwali Festival -  Legends, Articles & Pictures

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Tulasi Plant in Rangoli
Festivals of India

Festival Pictures
Sweetened Oil Seeds Mark the Sankranti FestivalSchool Girls at an Independence Day Procession Unifromed Boys Hoisting National FlagChariot of Honavar TownArtist Making Idol of GaneshGarudi Festival DollsThe Rakhi Festival
A Priest at BandihabbaCollege students celebrate the Holi festivalTemple on WheelsFireworks During the Deepavali FestivalWoman in festive clothing prepares for worshipA Lighted Christmas Tree Lord Ganesh rides his favorite mouse to earth
The Festival of LightsSanta Claus in a Rangoli Design for ChristmasRangoli to Welcome the New MillenniumUsing Rangoli to Greet Friends and NeighborsRangoli to wish Sankranti GreetingsLord Ganesh in a Floral RangoliA thatched roof temple with Dasara Greetings
Sacrificial TigerGirl Carrying Offerings to Lord KrishnaParade of the Mysore Golden HowdahPlaying Holi by exchanging ColorsPerformer During a Konkani Harvest Festival (Shigmo)Ram Mela FestivalVillagers during a Festival of Gopuja (Worship of Cow)
Temple Chariot, TiruparankundramPresidential Guards at the Republic Day Parade, New DelhiHidimba Devi FestivalCelebrating the Sankranti FestivalFestival Candy vendorA Farmer Carrying a Painted Ceremonial BasketMatam with Zanjeer
Navarathri Greetings.Pongal KolamFestival of ForgivenessSankranti DelicaciesTypical Sankranti Festival SnacksPruning of a Sugar-caneIndian Celebrations
Sugar-cane VendorThe Thread Changing CeremonyThe Vaikunta Ekadashi FestivalWoman with an Oil Lamp

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