| Diwali - Festival of Lights |
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From Monday, 31 October 2005 - 21:00
To Wednesday, 02 November 2005 - 04:00
Every day |
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| Diwali, or Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, is the most important pan-Indian Hindu festival. Every Hindu home in Mumbai, no matter how humble, and many non-Hindu households too, light lamps and lanterns in celebration of the festival.
Diwali symbolises light conquering darkness and good triumphing over evil. It marks the return of Lord Rama to his capital Ayodhya after vanquishing King Ravana, who had abducted his wife Sita. The festival coincides with a post-harvest sense of plenty across the country, so it is a time for big spending, particularly on jewellery.
For retailers it is almost as important a period as the Christmas season is in the United States. The goddess of prosperity, Laxmi, is also worshipped and related celebrations occur immediately before and after the main day. A public fireworks display is fronted by the sheriff of Mumbai at Chowpatty beach. |
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