Millions are preparing for the Hindu festival which begins tomorrow
Indian Sikh devotees light candles in front of the illuminated Golden Temple in Amritsar for Diwali. Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhorh Divas or Diwali to mark the return of the Sixth Guru who was freed from imprisonment and also managed to release 52 political prisoners at the same time from the famous fort of Gwalior by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in October 1619.
( Narinder Nanu / AFP/Getty Images )Millions of people in India have begun preparing for Diwali.
The word Diwali is a contraction for "Deepawali" which means rows of lighted lamps. Diwali is known as the festival of lights because houses, shops and public places are decorated with diyas—small eartherware oil lamps.
In northern India and elsewhere, Diwali celebrates Rama's return after 14 years of exile, his defeat of Ravana, and his coronation as king.
In old Delhi's a wholesale market, Sadar Bazar, saw a huge rush of people braving the extremely busy and crowded market. Diwali shopping entails new clothes, jewelery and household items like refrigerators and television.
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/india/111025/diwali-2011-the-festival-lights
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