Diwali(Deepavali) is the one Hindu festival that unites the whole of India. It is traditionally known as the "festival of lights", for the common practice is to light small oil lamps (called diyas) and place them around the home, in courtyards, gardens, verandahs, on the walls built around the home and also on the roof tops. In cities, especially, candles are substituted for diyas; and among the riches, candles are made to substitute for fashionable and classy neon lights. The celebration of the festival is customarily accompanied by the exchange of sweets and the explosion of fireworks.
Diwali(Deepavali) is an occasion for cheerfulness and togetherness. This is an occasion for young and the old, men and women, rich and poor - for everyone to celebrate. Irrespective of their religious and economic background, the festival is celebrated throughout the country to ward off the darkness and welcome light into life as light is always associated with hope for the future. Deepavali is celebrated 20 days after Dussera, on Amavasya - the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin (Aasho) in (Oct/ Nov) every year.
Festive times demands festive colours. Diwali is a time for revelry and fashion reflects this revelry as its entire palette goes gold. Clothes accessories, shoes- the whole nine yards gets a shiny makeover. Great news for the Indian women as all shades of gold go well with our dusky complexions.For women who still prefer sarees, the look demands tiny embroidered blouses with lot of crystal on it with beautiful Austrian or French lace sarees. Also embroidery-using sequins with a metallic sheen on sarees are just the thing to add glamour to the festive season.Those who prefer a different look can wear an embroidered ghagra worn with a blouse that has similar embroidery with a half saree draped around. The effect is dramatic.
This Festive season cast the traditional in an offbeat role. Since men nowadays are more open to experiment, try kurtas and churidars in different fabrics like jacquards and silk in unusual colours like burnt rust, ochre, olive, navy and gray are perfect to make an impact.Men should make the most of Diwali by opting for styles which they could'nt really carry of in an ordinary work day. That translates into ethnic wear : dhoti-punjabis, churidars-kurtas, angarakhas and bundis.
For welcoming goddess Lakshmi people draw Rangoli Patterns on the floor of the entrance of the house. The term RANGOLI is derived from 'Rang' (colour)+avalli (coloured creepers) or 'Rang' + 'aavalli' (row of colours). Rangoli is Maharashtrain in origin although today it is practiced everywhere. A Rangoli is a sign of welcome. Hindus draw one daily as a way of welcoming guests, The patterns are made with fingers using flour, rice grains or coloured chalk. The shape of the pattern can be a square, rectangle or a circle. Usually, women create the beautiful Rangoli patterns, using skills passed down through the generations. In the West, some Hindu communities have competitions for children to design Rangoli patterns and prizes are given for the best designs during Diwalicelebrations.
