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• 10 Ways Diwali is Celebrated Differently Across India

The festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil, Diwali is rich in traditions and rituals. Celebrations go on for several days.  Fireworks, candles, and worship of goddess Lakshmi are some of the common rituals you would know about. But there is a lot more to the festival of lights. Each part of India has a unique way of Diwali celebrations. Meanwhile, Check Diwali Online offers to shop & prepare for the upcoming festival.

1. Kolkata: Kali Puja

The festival is celebrated as Kali Puja in Kolkata. Goddess Kali is worshipped at night as per the Tantric Hindu traditions. Kali Puja in the East is a highlight of the festival. Worshippers offer hibiscus flowers, sweets, rice to Goddess Kali in Pandals. Khichdi and labra are served in the pandals.

2. Ganga Aarti - Varanasi

People light up lamps at the ghats and offer prayers to Lord Shiva. The ghats are lit with earthen lamps in honor of Ganga and presiding goddess. The Ganga Aarti is performed in the evening on Dev Deepavali in Varanasi. The 5-day festival starts on Prabodhini Ekadashi and concludes on Kartik Poornima.

3. Celebrations at Golden Temple - Amritsar

In Amritsar, the festival of Diwali is celebrated to mark the release of Guru Hargobind Sahib. Golden Temple is the place where you need to be on Diwali for witnessing the grand celebrations.  The Golden temple is surrounded with spectacular lights. Try to reach before sunset to enjoy lights alongside Sarovar.

4. Chhath Puja - Bihar

The celebrations last for 8 days starting on Diwali followed by Godhan and Chhath. The festival starts with Lakshmi Puja performed on the evening of Diwali. Prayers are made on the banks of Ganges where people lit Diyas. It is followed by Govardhan Puja on the next day. The 6th Day of Diwali is Chhat.

5. Naraka Chaturdashi - Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, the day is observed as "Narka Chaturdashi".  The Day is celebrated as Lord Krishna got victory over Narakasura. The festival starts with oil baths early in the morning, house cleaning and sweets preparation. It is followed by Lakshmi Puja. People also burst crackers to celebrate the death of evil.

6. Lakshmi Puja - Madhya Pradesh

The rituals performed are similar to the rest of the country. People worship goddess Lakshmi on Dhanteras, it is followed by Lakshmi Ganesh Puja on the Day of Diwali. The 2nd day of Diwali is observed as Bhai Dhooj. Tika ceremony is performed on Bhai Dhooj when sisters pray for their brothers.

7. Govardhan Puja or Bestu Varas - Gujarat

The celebrations last for a week beginning with Agyaras, two days before Dhanteras. People observe fast on this day. The next day is Vagh Baras on which cattle are worshipped. The sixth day of Diwali is celebrated as New year or Govardhan Puja. Everyone taste "Sabras" - Salt collected from evaporated ponds for good luck in the New Year.

8. Vasu-Baras - Maharastra

The Diwali celebration in Maharastra is unique and very different from other parts of the country. On this day, married women worship cows with calves. It is a mark of gratitude towards cows. Vasu-Baras is Maratha New year on the 12th Day of Ashwin month of the Marathi Calendar.

9. Burning of Narkasura Effigies - Goa

Diwali in Goa is popular for colorful fireworks and shopping festivals. You will find effigies of Narakasure in every street which are set ablaze in the evening. The celebrations follow playing of contemporary music. People also decorate their houses with colorful rangoli patterns to welcome Goddess Laxmi.

10. Diyari - Jaipur

Diyari is celebrated on Amavasya of Asu month of Sindhi Calendar. People use Mango plant leaves to decorate their houses. The Celebrations go on for three days Diyari, Badu & Chandu. Lakshmi Puja is the main event and people keep their houses spotless to welcome the goddess of wealth.

Even with the diverse ways of celebrations, the underlying message is the same. The festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil. The Diwali Celebration in each region is unique in own way reflecting the cultural diversity of India in the true sense. Meanwhile, Check Diwali Online offers to shop & prepare for the upcoming festival.

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