Diwali is the only festival of lights. It is the festival of homecoming. When Lord Rama with Sita and Laxman returned from 14 years exile, to Ayodhya, people lit every house every street with Diyas and firecrackers to welcome them. People exchanged Diwali gifts like designer candles, colorful lamps, to celebrate the arrival. Till today the tradition of celebration of his arrival continues and we clean all our houses and decorate them with Diwali decoration. People buy flowers for Diwali, preparing for this Day in advance.
On this day Laxmi Poojan with Diwali pooja thali, marks the onset of a New Year according to Hindu calendar. For Punjabis, the day marks the release of Guru Hargovindji from Gwalior prison. They celebrate it with extra enthusiasm.
The day before Diwali is called as ‘Choti Diwali’. On this day too people burst fire crackers, wear fine clothes and make merry. They exchange Diwali greetings, Diwali cards etc. On this day too deities are prayed upon and young children get extra sweets and chocolates. This is the day where kids are given garlands of dry fruits to eat and to have fun. As they run about, dry nuts keep them warm and well nourished in the bitter cold weather of Punjab.
The golden temple in Amritsar is decorated beautifully. Huge lake reflects the gloriously decorated. Its boundaries are all lit by Diyas and candles. People visit ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ on this day, only after Darshan, they proceed on to exchanging greetings and gifts like chocolates for Diwali, Diwali gift hampers etc.
Goddess of wealth and prosperity Goddess Laxmi is also prayed to, for her blessings. It is believed that she blesses the clean and well decorated houses and the people living in it. The day after Diwali is the day of ‘Tikka’. On this day sisters pray for their brothers and put a ‘Tikka’ a red round mark on their foreheads to protect them from negative energies or to ward off evil. Farmers have their own set of prayers and rituals for their crops and the yields.
Punjabis exchange greetings and gifts like sweets, diwali gift baskets, Diwali gift hampers, fireworks for Diwali. They also send Diwali gifts and Diwali cards to their loved ones who are away from the country by online Diwali gift delivery services.
This is the way Diwali is celebrated in Punjab.