Diwali - Illuminating India

Perhaps the only festival celebrated with equal aplomb and zeal across the vast and diverse expanse of India, Diwali or the festival of light, signifies the renewal and rejuvenation of life. The sight of flickering lights strikes a chord in every Indian's heart, although it varies from region to region.

Diwali in North India signifies the homecoming of Lord Ram after fourteen years in exile and his defeat of the mighty Ravan, where the citizens of his kingdom rejoiced by lighting diyas.In Gujarat, Diwali is a celebrated as a tribute to the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, while in Bengal it honours the Goddess Kali. In Jainism, Diwali denotes Lord Mahavira attaining Nirvana or Moksha.

The celebration of Diwali symbolises the fundamental India philosophy of unity in diversity.