Jones turned to Muthu and Bala and quizzed, "Why do you celebrate Deepavali? It is because Ram and Sita came back after defeating the evil Ravan, right?"
Muthu said, "Yes, of course. The people of Ayodhya lit mud lamps to welcome the couple and Lakshman who returned from exile*."
Varun, who happened to be in the vicinity, could not help butting in: "But in our family, we call it ‘Diwali’ and my daadi say that Goddess Lakshmi and Vishnu got married that day."
Bala said, "Well, both of these are only two of the many reasons that I know of.
There are so many stories around Deepavali or Diwali, whichever you prefer to call it. I don’t know if all of them are based on facts though."
The other three waited for Bala to go on, looking very attentive.
Spurred by the rapt audience, Bala cleared his throat and spoke in his most authoritarian tone, "As per some, Diwali is held in remembrance of the Pandava brothers’ homecoming.
Another version is that Lord Vishnu took on the form of Vaamana and defeated King Bali. This is also recorded in the Bhagavata Purana- the sacred Hindu text."
Bala paused for effect. But the impatient Jones goaded him , "That is only four reasons so far..."
Bala carried on, "The same Bhagavata Purana also mentions that the inhabitants of heaven and earth were greatly relieved to have got freedom from the hands of the terrible Narakasura – who was vanquished by none other than Lord Vishnu. In some pockets of India, especially Bengal, Goddess Kali is said to have gone on a rampage after killing the demons. She stopped only after she accidentally stepped on Lord Shiva.
It is also believed that the famous King Vikramaditya was crowned king on this day.
For Sikhs, Diwali holds a special meaning for it was on this day that a Sikh Guru institutionalized the festival of lights as an occasion when all Sikhs would gather to receive the Guru’s blessings.
Even Jains revere this festival since the date marks the enlightenment of Vardhamana Mahavira.".
