Happy Deepavali to everyone..

In rural villages cattle are adorned and worshipped by farmers and, in the South of India, cows are offered special veneration as the incarnation of the goddess. Candles and lamps are lit as a greeting to Lakshmi.

In Indian culture, wealth is not viewed as a corruptive power. Instead, a wealthy person is believed to have been rewarded for the good deeds of a past life. On this day, people exchange gifts and purchase new items for the house, as this is considered auspicious, ensuring happiness and prosperity for the whole of the coming year. Businessmen (marwaldi) pray for prosperity on this day to Lakshmi to give them the best results for the year ahead.

On the second day Kali, or Shakti, the goddess of power, is worshipped. Kali is power, or strength used for the protection of others, and Maha-Kali (supreme power) is the power of the divine force in the dance of destruction. This day celebrates the destruction of the demon (asura) Raktabija.

Another myth recalls the defeat of Naraksura, the demon-king of Prgjyotishapura (present day Assam). His yogic powers had fattened his ego, so he had become a menace to the people. He saw women as no more than a means fulfilling his desires and had 16,100 in his harem. The Gods implored Sri Krishna to rescue them from this fiend. Sri Krishna came from Dvaraka and destroyed Narksura's huge army, finally beheading Naraksura himself. The population was freed from the oppressive tyranny and everyone heaved a sigh of relief. All the women kept by the demon king were freed, and to preserve their social virtue, Sri Krishna made them all, at least nominally, his wives!

Diwali celebrates the end of the harvest, known as the Kharif when the fresh crop of rice is in, but also marks the beginning of the new season. Delicacies are prepared from pounded partly-cooked rice (called Poha or Pauva) from the recent harvest. This custom is held in rural and in urban areas, especially in Western India. This day (Kali Chaudas) also focuses on abolishing laziness and evil. North Indians call it Narak Chaudas and pray for the souls of departed loved ones.

On the third and most important day ' the last day of the year in the lunar calendar ' lamps are lit, shining brightly in every home. The lamp shining at the dark of the New Moon symbolizes knowledge and encourages reflection upon the purpose of each day in the festival. The goal is to remember this purpose throughout the coming year. Lakshmi Puja (ceremonial worship) is performed on this day, awakening an appreciation of prosperity and a sense of responsibility towards it. Lakshmi, always depicted as a very beautiful woman, stands on a lotus. She has lotuses in various stages of bloom in her two hands and wears a lotus garland.

Cascades of gold coins are usually shown flowing from her hands, suggesting that those who worship her gain wealth. She always wears gold-embroidered red clothes, as red symbolizes activity and the golden lining indicates prosperity. Lakshmi is the active energy of Vishnu (the maintaining power of the universe), and also appears as Lakshmi-Narayan ' Lakshmi accompanying Vishnu.