Thursday, November 21, 2024
Himachal Pradesh

Fairs and Festivals


Festivals


Diwali

Diwali is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The mud walls of the houses are cleaned and painted over with white clay and cow-dung. In the courtyards a red or black square is painted with coloured clay. This is decorated with pictures of animals and birds. The walls are hung over with flower garlands. People believe that Lakshmi

who is the goddess of wealth visit all the houses this day and settles down in the house which is clean and pretty.

After sunset, clay lamps are lit on a plank in the memory of the departed ancestors. Afterwards they are placed within the houses. Sweets are distributed and the young one seek the blessings of the elderly. Goats are sacrificed on this day. Women paint little vessels (Auloo) with clay and decorate it with drawings in red paint. They pray to these and exchange these with their best friends. Read More About Diwali...