Diwali also called “Deepawali” is a major Hindu festival in India. The festival is celebrated with unequal zeal and pleasure by Hindus, throughout the country. Hindus believe that his return was welcomed by the people of Ayodhya by lighting up the streets and houses by small earthen oil lamps; therefore, the Hindus celebrate the day as the festival of lights. Houses get decorated with lights of different colors and sizes, earthen lamps glittering at the entrances and over the boundaries and railings make the view mesmerizing. People come out of their houses in new clothes and burn crackers and fireworks.
Long and Short Essay on Diwali
Essay 1 (250 Words)
Introduction
Diwali is also known as Deepawali meaning a row of diyas. The festival is celebrated with great zeal throughout India. It is celebrated each year to commemorate the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom, Ayodhya. A series of rituals are performed to celebrate this festival.
Festival of Lights
Lighting diyas is one of the main rituals of this Hindu festival. People buy beautiful earthenware diyas each year and illuminate their entire house as a part of the Diwali celebration. It is said that the entire town of Ayodhya was lighted with diyas to welcome Lord Rama, Laxman and Sita. People continue to follow this ritual even today. This is a way to please the deities.
The houses, marketplaces, offices, temples and all the other places are illuminated with lights on this day. Candles, lamps and decorative lights are also lit up to add to the beauty.
Rangolis are made and diyas are placed in between these beautiful creations of art to enhance their look.
Exchange of Gifts
Exchanging gifts is one of the main rituals of the Diwali festival. People visit their colleagues, neighbors, relatives, and friends and present gifts to them to strengthen their bond. Hindu culture teaches us to live in harmony with one another. Diwali, one of the main Hindu festivals, promotes the feeling of brotherhood and unity amid diversity.
While exchanging sweets and boxes of dry fruit was common in the earlier times, these days people look for unique and innovative gift items. Numerous kinds of Diwali gifts are available in the market these days.
People also purchase gifts for their employees and the house helps. Many people also visit orphanages and old age homes and distribute gifts there.
Conclusion
People await Diwali all year long and the preparations for its celebration begin almost a month before the festival. People gleefully perform all the rituals associated with it.
Essay 2 (400 Words)
Introduction
As per the Hindu calendar, Diwali falls on the new moon (Amavasya) during the Kartik month. This is considered to be one of the most auspicious times in the Hindu religion. People wait for this time of the year to start a new business, shift to a new house or purchase a big asset such as a car, shop, jewelry, etc. A number of mythological stories are associated with the celebration of this festival. People belonging to different regions of India celebrate it for different reasons. However, it calls for a grand celebration everywhere.
Cleaning and Decoration
Diwali celebration begins with the cleaning of the houses and workplaces. From washing curtains to cleaning the fans, from cleaning every corner of the house to discarding the useless old stuff – Diwali is the time for thorough cleaning of the houses as well as workplaces. Many cleaning agencies offer special discounts and offers around Diwali and make good business.
People also shop for various home decor items to redecorate their places. The houses are decorated with diyas, lights, lanterns, candles, flowers, drapes and many other decorative items.
Sharing the Joy
People visit their relatives, neighbors, and friends. They exchange gifts and spend time with each other. Many people host Diwali parties to celebrate the festival with their loved ones. The joy of celebration doubles up this way.
Many residential societies organize Diwali parties to celebrate the occasion. It is a great way to rejoice in the festival.
Worshipping the Deities
Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped during the evening hours. People wear new clothes and offer prayers to the deities. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on this day brings in wealth, prosperity and good luck.
Burning of Fire Crackers and Increasing Pollution
Firecrackers are also burnt as a part of Diwali celebrations. Large numbers of crackers are burnt on this day each year. While it offers momentary pleasure, its repercussions are extremely harmful. It adds to air, noise and land pollution. Many people suffer due to the pollution caused.
Diwali without firecrackers would be much more beautiful. The newer generations must be sensitized about the harmful effects of burning crackers and should be encouraged to celebrate this festival without fireworks.
Conclusion
Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is a mark of the Hindu tradition. It is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm by the Hindu families year after year. It is time to spread joy, love, and laughter and not pollution.
Essay 3 (500 Words)
Introduction
Diwali falls sometime between the mid of October and mid of November. It is one of the main festivals of Hindus. The festival is celebrated for different reasons in different parts of India. A number of rituals form a part of the Diwali celebrations. Illuminating houses with diyas and candles and worshiping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are among the main rituals.
Why Do We Celebrate Diwali?
While it is largely believed that Diwali is celebrated to rejoice the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, many other folklores and mythological stories are associated with it. Here are some of the reasons why this festival is celebrated.
The Return of Lord Rama
It is believed that on this day, Lord Rama returned to his hometown Ayodhya after staying in exile for fourteen long years. He was accompanied by his brother Lakshman and wife Sita. Sita was abducted by the demon, Ravana. She was kept as a hostage in his kingdom until Lord Rama defeated him and brought her back. As Lord Rama, Lakshman and Sita returned to Ayodhya, the people were thrilled and excited.
The entire town was illuminated with diyas. Sweets were distributed and people made merry. This is how we continue to celebrate this day even today.
The Harvest Festival
In some parts of the country, Diwali is considered to be a harvest festival. This is because it is the time when rice is cultivated. Since India is mainly an agricultural economy this is the time for celebration. A grand celebration is held at this time. The festival holds special importance for the farmers.
The Legend of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi
It is said that King Bali had imprisoned Goddess Lakshmi. It was on this day that Lord Vishnu disguised himself and set the Goddess free from the evil king. The day thus calls for a celebration. In many parts of the country, people celebrate Diwali to rejoice the return of Goddess Lakshmi.
The Birth of Goddess Lakshmi
It is said that Goddess Lakshmi was born on the new moon of the Kartik month. Thus, in certain regions, Diwali is celebrated to rejoice the birth of Goddess Lakshmi who is worshipped during the evening hours on this day. Goddess Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity and the Hindus hold high regard for her.
The ritual of worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha is followed in every Hindu household on the day of Diwali.
No matter what the reason, Diwali is celebrated with immense enthusiasm across India as well as some other countries. Cleaning the house, shopping for new clothes, sweets, and gifts, decorating the house, illuminating lamps, offering prayers, burning firecrackers and meeting loved ones are some of the rituals followed on Diwali.
Conclusion
Diwali brings us closer to our near and dear ones. People of all age groups await this festival and look forward to celebrating it with their loved ones. Every member of the family takes an active part in the Diwali celebration. People religiously follow all the rituals that form a part of the Diwali celebrations and pass them on to the next generations.
Essay 4 (600 Words)
Introduction
Diwali is the time to meet and greet our loved ones, prepare delicious sweets, wear new clothes, redecorate the house and worship Goddess Lakshmi. It is also the time to burn firecrackers. While all the Diwali rituals are beautiful and pious, burning firecrackers to rejoice the day is not appreciated much. This is because it adds to the pollution in the atmosphere.
Diwali Celebrations
Diwali is being celebrated in India since ancient times. It is a day to celebrate the victory of light over darkness. This is because as per Hindu mythology, this was the day when Lord Rama returned to his kingdom Ayodhya after staying in exile for 14 years. He returned victorious after killing the demon, Ravana and freeing Sita from his clutches.
The effigies of Ravana are burnt across India on Dussehra each year. It marks the victory of good over evil. Diwali falls twenty days later. The houses and marketplaces are illuminated with beautiful diyas and lights to celebrate Diwali. Rangolis are made and decorative items are used to enhance the beauty of these places. People decorate their houses after cleaning them thoroughly to welcome Goddess Lakshmi who is worshipped on this day. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi; the Goddess of wealth, only visit places that are clean and beautiful.
People visit each other and exchange gifts as a part of the Diwali celebrations. Many people host house parties on this day. It is a great time to bond with our relatives and friends. Many offices and residential societies host Diwali parties a day or two before the festival.
Children especially look forward to burning firecrackers on this day. They gather around and rejoice the festival by burning different kinds of crackers.
Diwali Pollution: A Matter of Concern
Diwali is an auspicious day. The entire atmosphere is filled with the air of festivity and joy around this time. However, it eventually fills with pollution. The firecrackers burnt on this day are a complete put-off. Burning crackers is said to be a ritual in Diwali. People burn thousands of crackers in the name of ritual on this day each year. This results in an increase in pollution levels in the atmosphere. The sky turns hazy and the consequences are harmful. It gives way to many health problems. This is especially unsafe for asthmatic patients, heart patients, pregnant women, elderly people, and infants. It is difficult to step out on Diwali as well as days after the festival.
The burning of crackers does not only pollute the air but also causes noise pollution. It is particularly disturbing for sick and elderly people, small kids, students, and animals.
Eco-Friendly Diwali: A Good Idea
It is high time we must behave as responsible citizens and stop burning crackers to celebrate Diwali or any other occasion for that matter. We must celebrate the eco-friendly Diwali.
We must say no to crackers and advise those around us to do the same. Parents must take this as their responsibility to tell their kids about the negative repercussions of burning crackers. Kids must also be sensitized about the same in the schools. This will help in bringing down the fireworks on Diwali.
Apart from the measures that people can take at their end, it is important to put a check on the sale of firecrackers. The government must intervene for the same. The production and sale of firecrackers must be banned or at least some restrictions should be put on the same.
Conclusion
Diwali is a sacred festival. We must maintain its sanctity by celebrating it the right way. We should refrain from burning crackers owing to the harmful effects it has on the environment that ultimately impacts life on Earth.
