5 Lesser Known Stories Behind Diwali Celebrations

Diwali, the festival of lights is considered to be one of the most joyful festivals according to the Hindu calendar. It is believed that on this day Lord Ram along with his wife Goddess Sita and brother Laksham came back to Ayodhaya after spending fourteen years of their lives in exile. The festival is also considered to be the festival of lights over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

Other than this there are a few more tales and stories related to the Diwali festival that we are unaware of. Here is the list of 5 lesser known stories about Diwali.

1. Why Do We Worship Goddess Laxmi On This Day?

The day of Diwali also marks the birthday of Goddess Lakshmi. On this day, Lakshmi was born during Samundra Manthan – which is also called the seething or churning of ocean. Then on this very day only, Goddess Lakshmi married Lord Vishnu, making it an even more important day in the Hindu calendar.

2. Happy Harvesting!

The farmers of the easter year used to celebrate this day as the end of summer harvesting season. The festival was celebrated after reaping the crops of the summer.

3. Assassination of Narakasur by Lord Krishna!

As per the Hindu mythology, there was demon king called Narakasur. It is believed by Hindu mythology that Lord Krishna (the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu) killed the demon king a day before Diwali. Folks of Tamil Nadu celebrate Naraka Chaturdarshi a day before Diwali.

4. Pooja of Maa Kali in Bengal!

Diwali is celebrated in a very different way in West Bengal. On this day, Bengali people worship goddess Kali so the day marks to be a festive time post the grand Durga Puja.

5. Lord Mahaveer’s Nirvana!

Jains, one of religious communities of India also celebrate Diwali. According to the mythology of Jainism, Diwali is celebrated as the final liberation of Lord Mahaveer’s soul, a process known as ‘nirvana’. Lord Mahaveer attained Moksha, liberation on this day at Pavapuri on the Chaturdarshi of Kartik month.