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Diwali is a five day Hindu festival which occurs
on the fifteenth day of Kartika. Diwali means "rows of lighted
lamps" and the celebration is often referred to as the Festival
of Lights.
This is a very popular festival in many parts of India. The celebration
of Diwali is marked by the lighting of innumerable lamps in every
courtyard and the bursting of crackers.
Sweetmeats, new clothes etc., are there as in other festivals. The
time for rejoicing is mainly early morning and late night. These hours
of darkness bordering the waking hours are preferred as lights and
crackers are the highlights of the festivities and these need darkness
to have their illuminating effect.
Hence people rise early and go late to sleep. Worship of the Goddess
of Wealth (Laxmi), observance of the New Year and performance of Aarti
(a ritual that combines worship and adoration) are a part of the festival
On the second day of Deepavaali (Kali Choudas) a ritual that is strongly
suggestive of the origin of Deepavaali as an harvest festival is performed.
On this day delicacies are prepared from pounded semi-cooked rice
(called Poha or Pova).
This rice is taken from the fresh harvest available
at that time. This custom is prevalent both in rural and urban areas
especially in Western India. In rural areas, Diwali signifies only
this aspect. As it is Diwali which is celebrated sometime in October/November
co-incides with the end of a harvesting season, known as the Kharif
season when the fresh crop of rice is available.
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