So here is a bit more background on why "Diwali" or "Devali" as it is also call, and why it is such a special day for especial Hindus, Diwali is known as the "festival of Light" and is typically celebrated as a family activity where there are different activities on the program, which could be lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil, people normally dress up in their new cloth (hence my shopping earlier today) and they would be sharing sweets and snacks with each other. For Hindus Diwali is the marking of the return Rama (the seventh avatar of Vishnu and the king of Ayodhya, and old ancient city in India, that is now considered a holy city - and suppose to have been living 5000 years BC) after having been banished for 14 years. Rama is for many hindus considered as the perfect human and for the sake of his father's honour, Rama decided to abandon his claim to Kosala's throne to serve an exile in the forest. So the wife and brother of Rama cant live without him and decides to join him in exile together. While being in exile Sita (wife of Rama) is kidnapped by Ravana (a very negatively loaded person). After a long search and loads of test of personal strength and virtue, Rama finally ends up battling Ravana - needless to say that it includes power and a ton of magic, and other destructive stuff, Rama finally win the battle and frees his wife. Rama returns to be crown king of Ayodhya and in the end becomes emperor - and is believe to have ruled his land with happiness, peace, prosperity and justice - a period known as Rama Rajya... So here is one disclaimer - this story is for Hindus, and i just went and check it with "Tony" and as he told me, Diwali means something completely different for Sikhs - he is a sikh and he will for sure know .. so i will take the story from a Hindu side .. hope it was useful, and should you ever end up in India for Diwali - remember, new cloth, snacks and sweets - share and be nice .... oh i almost forgot - and loads of fireworks ....
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