A Gate of Jaipur decorated with lights
Deepawali is called the festival of lights and crackers. It is one of the major festivals of Hindus in India.
Light Decoration at a sweet centre
In North India, the festival is celebrated to celebrate the return of Lord Rama several years before. The Lord willingly left his city Ayodhya on order of his father Dashrath. He was supposed to spend 14 years in the forests away from his city.
Markets crowded with people
When he returned after 14 years, the celebrated. The whole city was lighted by "deeps" (a small sand bowl having a wick, in which oil is burnt).
Deep (candles burnt on eve of Deepawali)
Decoration in a market, Lord Shiva
His return is still celebrated in India. The cities are lighted, crackers are burnt all night, sweets are distributed, persons wear new clothes and enjoy the festival along with their relatives and friends.
Jaipur, the heart of Rajasthan, also celebrates this festival, with lot of fun and amusement.
The festival is basically celebrated for four days:
Dhanteras: It is usually celebrated on a day before Deepawali. It is considered to be a very auspiscious occasion for purchasing gold, silver and other articles.
A jewellery shop decorated on Deepawali
Roopchaudas: It comes on the previous day of Deepawali. The day is considered for grooming yourself. Several class of people go to parlours and saloons for grooming themselves and prepare them for the festival.
Deepawali: On the day of Deepawali, people worship Mother Laxmi, Saraswati and Lord Ganesha. Sweets are eaten and distributed.
Mother Laxmi being worshipped in a home
Bhai Dooj: It usually falls on a day after Deepawali, a day for brothers and sisters. It is celebrated by sisters by tying a knot of thread to their brothers.
An icon of Statue of Liberty in Jaipur Market
An icon of TajMahal in Jaipur Market
Central Muesuem of Jaipur on Deepawali Night
