Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is celebrated with great enthusiasm all across India. But did you know that this festival is celebrated on different days, at different times and for different gods in different parts of India? India is a big and diverse country. Each part of the country has its own customs, myths, and ways of doing things. Is it any surprise that there are many stories associated with Diwali? In North India, Diwali celebrates King Rama’s return to Ayodhya. Down south and in the western part of India, Deepavali marks the day when Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. And in the east, this festival is dedicated to goddess Kali. Did you know that some villages in Himachal Pradesh celebrate Diwali one whole month after the rest of the country? This short video is about the many charming tales of this much loved festival.
When is New Year's day? Well, that depends on who you ask. For many in the north, Diwali is New Year's day. But it falls on different days each year. The Tamil, Malayalees, Punjabis and Assamese celebrate their New Year on 14 April. But the Telugus, Kannadigas and Maharashtrians celebrate their New Year on different dates. How are these dates determined and why are calendars so different for people in the same country? This story will you through time of how calendars evolved, how ancient Indians and people across the world measured time.
