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Diwali

Once upon a time in the City of Ayodhya a very wise king called Dashrath lived with his three beautiful wives, Kaushalya, Kaikey and Sumitra. The king and his wives were generous, caring and happy but there was a little sadness for they did not have any children. Guru Vashista, the palace priest and the king's advisor suggested that the king performs a fire sacrifice. The God of fire - Agni - was pleased by this and he blessed the king with four sons, Ram, Laxman, Bharat and Shatrughna.

In the next state there lived King Janak. Janak had a beautiful daughter called Sita. Janak held a competition that whoever could lift Lord Shiva's bow will marry his daughter Sita. Many kings and princes from other states had come to take part in this contest but failed to achieve their goal. Ram and Laxman were also there with Vishwamitra. As all the others had failed King Janak announced that "is there none amongst you who is brave and strong to carry out this task?" Laxman was angry at this and was about to challenge Janak but Ram stopped him. Vishwamitra suggested that Ram being the eldest should lift the bow. First Ram paid respect to Lord Shiva's mighty bow a^fd went to lift it. As he did this the bow snapped in to two pieces and Ram had won the contest. A great celebration took place where Ram married Sita and his brother's married Sita's sisters, Urmila, Mandvi and Shrutikirti.

King Dashrath was getting old and wanted Ram to be crowned king. Manthra, Queen Kaikey's servant heard about this and was very angry. She convinced Kaikey that this is a bad idea and encouraged Kaikey to ask King Dashrath of her two promises, the first that her son Bharat should be crowned king and Ram should go into exile for fourteen years. Ram was happy to obey his father's decision. Sita and Laxman said they would accompany Ram to the forest. When Bharat learnt about this he was very angry for he did not want to be king. He asked Ram to return to Ayodhya and be the rightful king. Ram said no. Bharat asked Ram for his sandals. He put the sandals on the throne and then went away to meditate and awaited Ram's return.

Ram, Sita and Laxman stayed in Panchavati. One day Ravan's sister Surpankha disguised as a princess came to the forest. She saw Ram and wanted to marry him. Ram said that he is already married to Sita why not ask Laxman. Laxman said he was Ram and Sita's servant and therefore she should ask the master to marry her. Surpankha went from Ram to Laxman and Laxman to Ram. This made her very angry so she decided to kill Sita and marry Ram. Laxman read her mind and went and cut off Surpankha's ears and nose and sent her back to Lanka. Surpankha wanted revenge so she asked her brother Ravan -Lord of Lanka- to help her. She convinced Ravan that he should marry the beautiful Sita for she would make a perfect Queen. Ravan asked his uncle - Marich the magician - to turn himself into a golden deer and play by Sita. Sita saw the deer and wanted it, so she asked Ram to get it for her.

While Ram and Laxman were away Ravan came disguised as a Holy man and kidnapped Sita. Ram was devastated at loosing Sita and started his search for her. Hanuman the mightiest monkey and Jambuvan the king of the bears said they will help. Hanuman found out exactly where Sita was held prisoner. Ram's army built a bridge across to Lanka. When they crossed into Lanka there was a huge battle. Ravan was strong but Ram found out his secret which was that, Ravan had nectar in his navel which made him invincible. Ram drew an arrow and fired it at Ravan, it hit him in his naval, Ravan screamed and fell dead to the ground.

Ram had won the battle. The fourteen years were coming to an end and Ram, Sita, Laxman and Hanuman returned to Ayodhya where Ram was crowned King with Sita his queen. This event is marked by the festival of Diwali, beginning of the New Year. People light Diwa lamps, do rangoli patterns outside their homes on the doorsteps and hang torans (flower garlands) in their doorway to welcome happiness and good fortune. The triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and happiness over sorrow is celebrated and everybody wish each other "Nutan Varsha Abhinandan" which means Happy New Year. We hope you and your family have all the good fortune too.