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Divali is a festival of light, one in which people celebrate the the end of the fall harvest season with decorations and little deepa oil lamps glowing on every available surface of homes and temples. It is a time of fun and optimism and on the festival day, you are supposed to wear new clothes as a symbol of a fresh start, and enjoy lots of sweets. The festival is supposed to have originated when Rama, Sita, and Lakshaman returned to their home in Ayodhya after defeating Ravana in the battle of Lanka. The residents of the kingdom decorated their homes with oil lamps to welcome their retun, and so this time celebrates the victory of good over evil. In Gujuarat they honor Lakshmi, and in Bengal, Kali. Other stories associated with this time are the killing of the demon Narakasura by Satyabhama, Krishna's wife. It is also the time when Krishna protected villagers from Indra's thunderstorms by holding mount Govardhan over them. In the Bagavad Gita, it is the time when the Pandavas returned from their exile in the forests. This is also considered to be the day when Lakshmi emerged from the Ocean of Milk after it had been churned by the devas and demons in order to obtain amrita, the nectar of immortality. In another story, on this day, Lakshmi's husband returned after completing his Vamana Avatara. Since Lakshmi was so delighted to see him, on this day she is in a good mood and receptive to the offerings of the yagya, and ready to bless her devotees. From a spiritual perspective, the light that we celebrate is the inner light, the light of consciousness that dispels ignorange and fear. The yagya mantras enliven our inner awareness and attract the fullness that Lakshmi symbolizes. Of course, it is great to listen to Lakshmi mantras on Divali.
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