THIS time is known as the iron or Dark Age according to the Hindu religion.
As many other religions, the Hindus celebrate many festivals and among them is DIWALI or DEEPAVALI.

This is called the festival of lights and it originated in India. Hindus all over the world celebrate DIWALI about the second week in November each year.
As this time approaches there is a grand preparation by young, old rich, poor, weak and strong. The building, trees, animals, manikins and statues are all adorned with colourful lights and costumes. This festive mood fills the air with great excitement, joy and happiness.
As is customary, a story is told behind each festival. In this case, it is said that Lord Rama was returning this night from bring exiled in the jungles for 14 years and since this night is believed to be the darkest night (according to the Indian calendar), the streets and building were illuminated with attractive lights and flowers to welcome their Lord.
The believers also feel that on this special night they should light earthen lamps and place them at holy places like temples and altars of wherever they worship God and by doing so, their dead relatives will be saved from further suffering and they will be able to see their path to heaven.
When we celebrate, we must do with wisdom and understanding and there must be some measure of happiness. It is good to go through these numerous myths behind religious festivals.
Most times we tend to go through these numerous myths behind religion festivals. Most times we tend to celebrate without understanding the moral behind the stories.
Take for instance, in the bible there are endless stories, proverbs, and psalms, but how many of us do understand imbibe and become embodied of their true essence.
For me everyday should be DIWALI because what is the use to celebrate with great splendour and galore on that day and still live in doldrums for the other days of the year.
The Hindus observe certain rituals on this day of DIWALI and each carries a spiritual significance. They start cleaning the house (body) signifies purifying the body through meditation. Wearing new clothes represents attiring the inner self with newness i.e. desist from the five dangers in the life, namely lust, anger, greed, attachment and ego and start creating and entertaining clean thoughts, words action and relationships and atmosphere.
Illuminating the house with colourful lights means that the mind should be decorated with spiritual accessories such as peace, love, tolerance, generosity, kindness, mercy etc.
During such time the businessmen close their books of old accounts and start new ones. This denotes the finishing off bad habits and cultivating new attitudes.
Exchanging cards and gifts means to share the most elevated teachings (godly knowledge) and have good wishes and pure feelings for all-love thy neighbour as thy self.
We should not see the weakness of our brothers and sisters, but their specialties and see no evil, speak no evil and hear no evil, do no evil. I should recognize their strength and try to emulate their good qualities and do away with my weaknesses.
When I think of others, I waste energy and create TENSION and so there will be no attention on the self.
Distribution of sweets signifies that my words should be soft, sweet and essenceful. Praying and performing POOJA (rituals of burning incense, sprinkle holy water and using up sweet fragrant flowers) signifies “I am in readiness to offer all my weaknesses, burning them through the fire of Yoga. With these thoughts of “God, I am yours with my mind, body and wealth. I surrender to you, my only support. I will live and die in your love.” This will help to cleanse the body as well as the soul and become detached from things in life.
The people fast on this day also i.e. they abstain from eating meat, drinking alcohol, smoking or even having body contact. They eat sweet foods and light drinks. Fasting here signifies that I should abstain from telling lies, having revengeful feeling or for that matter, committing any abominable act.
I must be aware that what actions I perform, I will have to face the “Axe”.
The earthly lamps called DIYAS, represent the body which is a combination of five elements of fire, water, air, space and earth.
It is perishable and is only lent to us for a period of time –ash to ash, dust to dust. The flame of the deeya represents the soul connected with the supreme soul God; constantly it will give bright and sparkling rays.
The oil represents priceless ingredient-spiritual knowledge. To keep the flame alight means to be always conscious. “I am light, being connected always with the supreme light.”
With the awareness of when I change the world can change, in bringing about the new world—paradise, it takes physical power to change the strength of the body. This means I must be focused on the source of strength-God the powerhouse as food, exercise and vacation etc are just helpers to the physical body, but food for the soul like good thoughts are just as important.