Diwali or Deepawali is one of the most prominent Hindu festival of India. Everything bright, everything sparkling and all beautiful ambiance marks the aura for its celebration. Diwali is celebrated during Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. The spiritual basis for Diwali lies in the mythological era, when God Rama returned back from his Vanvasa post 14 year exile. Diwali signifies victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, truth over pretense, hope over despair and moreover curbing the demons within us for spiritual awakening.
Diwali is celebrated all over India with a difference of 1 day. It lasts 5 days in total and ends with the beginning of Hindu new year or New Samvat. The darkest new moon night in the Kartik month of Hindu lunisolar calendar marks Diwali celebration. Houses are decorated with clay lamps and festival lights, corridors a sparkling with beautiful and colorful Rangolis, Ganpati and Maa Laxmi pujan is observed along with preparation and exchange of sweets and presents also the highlight for the festival is bursting of crackers during night.
Holi is the most famous festival of colors for Hindu all across. It is observed on full moon day in the month of phalgun season according to Hindu lunisolar calendar. Celebration of Holi dates back to the mythological era, as the survival of Prahalad and burning of Holika. The belief of the festival is signified as the victory of good over evil and also marks the arrival of spring after the chilly winters. Holika was the devil sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu who wanted everyone to worship demonic Asuras. Holika sat on pyre with Prahalad to burn him in the fire. But she herself was burnt and Prahalad, the follower of Lord Vishnu was saved.
Holi is thus celebrated for two days, where on the even of Holi a bon fire is set up and everyone prays around with rituals and traditions; that signify the victory of our own good self over inner devils. People meet and greet, celebrate, rejoice and forgive the broken bonds, to mend them for happiness and good deeds
