The word "Diwali" is the corruption of the Sanskrit word "Deepavali" - Deepa meaning
light and Avali, meaning a row. It means a row of lights and indeed illumination
forms its main attraction. Every home - lowly or mightly - the hut of the poor or
the mansion of the rich - is alit with the orange glow of twinkling diyas-small
earthen lamps - to welcome Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Multi-coloured
Rangoli designs, floral decorations and fireworks lend picturesness and grandeur
to this festival which heralds joy, mirth and happiness in the ensuring year.
Bahucharaji in Chunaval and Kalika on Pavagadh hill in Panchmahals.Banaskantha,
Bahucharaji in Chunaval and Kalika on Pavagadh hill in Panchmahals.
This festival is essentially religious in nature. It is celebrated with true devotion
in the various temples dedicated to the Mother, or Mataji, as she is familiarly
called. In some homes, images of the Mother are worshipped in accordance with accepted
practice. This is also true of the temples, which usually have a constant stream
of visitors from morning to night
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