The Brightest Festival of All!

Another year has gone by like the wind, and the festival of lights; or the festival of sweets, which is a more suitable name, is upon us again.Every house is abuzz with excitement (mainly because it is the perfect opportunity to overload ourselves with sweets and not feel guilty about it later) and why wouldn't they be? After all, who doesn't eagerly await Diwali? Everyone receives a gift, whether a simple blessing from a well-wisher, or an expensive gadget to fulfill the demands of a spoilt child, it does not matter.
Garlands of lights will soon adorn every window and lanterns will shine brightly from above.
The making of sweets and other goodies associated with Diwali is underway. Spring cleaning is in full bloom, women are rushing about, trying to get it all done.Somewhere, hundreds of students are breathing a sigh of relief, free from the routine and hectic schedules of school life, happily looking forward to their much-needed vacations.
Diwali is considered as one of the most auspicious festivals, and many a times, people buy gold. On the last day of this festival, the special bond between a brother and a sister will be strengthened when she prays for her brother's happiness and wishes for his well-being. The brother in turn will present a gift, which she will eagerly accept!

Firework stalls are lining the roads, while families flood into them, buying as many firecrackers as their bags can hold. They walk outside, with their bags filled to the brim, the children looking smug and satisfied, their tantrums fulfilled, looking excited at the prospect of burning them.
Rockets are firing into the air, and showers of sparks sparkle and dazzle in the sky. The younger children are waving sparklers while the more ambitious ones are lighting rockets and bombs. The onlooking spectators are cheering.
We Indians follow a very beautiful and meaningful tradition every Diwali. We draw a rangoli in front of our thresholds and light a diya beside it. Beautiful because the golden light of the diya illuminating the rangoli looks absolutely spectacular, and meaningful because, when we light a diya, we are in fact, igniting a light of hope, and are spreading a prayer so that all the poor, sick and underprivileged in the world can lead a better life, be restored to health once more and get equal opportunities to showcase their abilities and talents.
Wishing you a very happy, prosperous and safe Diwali!

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