Diwali is the festival of Laxmi, the Hindu Goddess of prosperity, wealth and peace. It lasts 5 days, where Hindus fill their homes with clay oil lamps, called Divas, colourful lights and Rangoli pictures to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness. Fireworks are also set off.
The story of Rama and Sita explains why Diwali is celebrated, and why Divas are used during this festival.
A good man, called Prince Rama was married to a beautiful princess called Sita.
They had been banished to live in the forest with his brother, Lakshman, by his stepmother, as she wanted her son Bharat, to be king. When Bharat heard of this he went to find Rama to get him to return to their kingdom and be the king. Rama however would not return, as he had promised that he would stay away for 14 years.
Ravana, the demon king with ten heads, heard of Sita’s beauty and goodness and planned to kidnap her. By magic, he conjured up a golden fawn. Sita asked Rama to go and capture it. The demon then imitated Rama’s voice, and called Lakshman for help. Lakshman, before going into the forest to help Rama, drew a magic circle around Sita, telling her not to walk outside the circle. Ravena came out of his hiding place disguised as an old man, and asked Sita for some water. When Sita stepped out of the magic circle protecting her, he grabbed her and flew away on his chariot back to his island Lanka. (Now known as Sri Lanka)
Rama and Lakshman searched for many months looking for Sita, but could not find her. Finally they asked Hanuman, king of the monkey army for help. Hanuman could fly, and found Sita imprisoned on the island of Lanka. Hanuman, Rama and Lakshman prepared themselves for battle.
This was one of the greatest battles ever seen began. The fighting lasted for ten whole days. It looked as though Ravana was going to win, until Rama borrowed a special bow and arrow from the gods. Rama caught sight of Ravana and shot his arrow straight and true, killing Ravana. The battle was won.
Rama rescued Sita, this had taken so much time that the 14 years of excile in the forest was over. Rama could return to his kingdom to be king.
Everyone in the Kingdom was expecting Rama and Sita and Lakshman’s return. As it got dark they put out thousands of little oil lamps to show the way to the palace. It seemed as though there were more lamps than stars in the sky. These oil lamps were called Divas, and that is why the festival is called “Diwali.”
Everyone was happy that Rama and sita had returned, and they ruled well, as king and queen for many, many years. Now every year people remember this story and have diwa lights inside their house and fireworks outside.