Celebrated all over India, Diwali has its way back mythological saga of epic Ramayana. Devotees mark the festival as the successful return of Lord Rama along with his wife Sita and younger brother Laxman to Ayodhya. Mythic history still depicts the day and night of Lord Rama during his 14 years exile and the defeat of demon King Ravana. The essence is still felt when mind goes back, during the time when people of Ayodhya has decorated their homes and streets with clay lamps and has welcomed Lord. Since then the festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm, fun and love.

Another saying indicates the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi to her devotees home. As such , the day is calls for prior preparation, cleaning houses and surroundings and worshiping Goddesses to receive blessing of wealth and prosperity.



Soul Connecting Diwali Rituals:
Diwali is celebrated 21 days after Dussehera, during the month of October or November. It takes five days for the completion of rituals involved in the festival. The festival starts with Dhanteras, celebrated with buying new kitchen utensils, jewelery or some metallic articles. Devotees pray to Goa Yamraj, the King of Death to save their kith and kin from evil shadows or death.

The second day is called Narka or Choti Diwali, in which, devotes take early bath in traditional style (i.e massaging body with oil and then taking shower) and apply Kumkum on their foreheads.

The third day is dedicated to paying homage to Goddess Lakshmi, The day goes on with performing Poojas and signing devotional songs. Houses are decorated with rice flour resembling the small foot prints of the Goddess, following lighting earthen lamps, filled with oil/ghee and cotton wicks.

The forth day is devoted to perform Goverdhan Puja and following this the last day presents the celebration of Bhai Dooj. It highlights the strong brother-sister relationship. On the very day, sister keep fast until they smear their brother's forehead with the holy tika.

Deepawali Celebration and Attraction:
The festival of light make the whole country look gorgeous with the glow of lamps, artificial bulbs and crackers. People exchange gifts, sweets and cards to make the day best in the whole year. Apart from this the main attractions of Diwali is Ramlilas, the dramatic presentation of Ramayana. The festival is greatly celebrated in the capital Delhi, where enthusiast arrange some areas for the functions. Make-shift stages are set up, that carries the huge effigies of demon King Ravana. The burning of the structures draws thousand attentions and is quite popular world-wide.

Almost all the companies, presents gift hampers and sweets to their employees. Exclusive offers are also exhibited by shopping malls and food stalls. Traditional Sweets like Jilabi, Besan Ladoo, Motichoor Ladoo, Boondi, Malpua etc are made by the homemakers. They are also available in packets at the sweet selling corners.

Staying in Delhi
On visiting Delhi, during Deepawali, one can stay at some popular staying places like Hotel Star Paradise, Hotel Shivam International, Hotel Star Villa, Taj Mahal Hotel, Hyatt Regency, Ambassador Hotel, InterContinental Eros, The Oberoi and Taj Palace Intercontinental. Many hotels organizes grand Diwali party, exclusively for their guest.


Reaching Delhi during Diwali
By Air:
Regular international and national flights are operated from the Indira Gandhi International Airport and Palam Domestic Airport.

By Rail:
The metro city, Delhi is well-connected with major Indian cities by means of trains operating to and from New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station. Tourist can also enjoy the luxury of trains like Palace-on Wheel, Fairy Queen and Royal Orient Express serviced in New Delhi Cantonment Railway Station.

By Road:
The main highways and expressways to Delhi are connected by bus serviced from major bus terminals like Anand Vihar Bus Terminal, Kashmiri Gate Terminal and Sarai Kale Khan Terminal. Both private deluxe coaches and Delhi Transport buses ply over the inter-state routes.