Diwali customs

Diwali is not only festival of lights or firing crackers, but also for prayers, pujas and ritual baths.

Traditions followed during this festival :

• On the auspicious day of Diwali, prayers are offered to Goddess Lakshmi
• All the members of family visit temples
• In some villages cattles are worshipped(particularly in South india)
• Lighting diyas or oil/ghee lamps is an important tradition.
• People also believe that as Diwali falls on a no-moon night, lamps help Goddess Lakshmi to reach their households. Hence, people leave the diyas to burn all through the night. 
• Rangoli is another important tradition followed,all houses are decorated with rangolis
• Diwali is regarded as an auspicious occasion to give and receive gifts
• Days before the celebration of Diwali, people clean every nook and corner of their home and premises.
• The homes and premises are decorated beautifully with thorans, flower garlands, strings of colorful LED lights, ribbons and streamers.
• Diwali - is considered auspicious to purchase jewellery and utensils made of silver. People shop for cutlery made of silver, steel, copper and other metals.

Lastly,Diwali celebration is not complete without fireworks and crackers. It is believed that busting crackers will keep evil spirits away from home. People of all ages - from children to the old one - enjoy bursting crackers on the occasion. Choti Diwali is exclusive for small children to express their happiness and enjoyment, by bursting crackers. Crackers are burst during the night time in northern parts of India, while in southern parts of the country celebrations starts from early morning.