One of the biggest Hindu Festivals , Diwali also known as the festival of lights is also the festival of happiness & togetherness .It signifies the victory of Light over the Darkness , good over the evil , knowledge over ignorance , & hope over despair.
Celebrations of the festival includes millions of lights shining on the housetops, outside doors & windows , happiness been shared among all the people around. It's not a festival only for a particular set of people , it's for all the people around you.
Diwali means the row (awali) of clay lamps (deepas) which symbolizes the lighting that protects us from spiritual darkness , achieving knowledge from ignorance , love from hatred.
Diwali is the celebration of inner light over the spiritual darkness , of the knowledge over ignorance & right over the wrong.
It's a five day event :
Day 1 : Dhanteras : On this day , the houses are cleaned , renovated & decorated. Rangolis are been made with beautiful colors in the walways of the house & offices.
Day 2 : Naraka Chaturdasi / Choti Diwali : This day is celebrated by early morning religious rituals & festivities followed on. The day is commonly celebrated as Diwali in Tamil Nadu , Goa , & Karnataka.
Day 3 : Lakshmi Puja / Diwali : It is the main day of Diwali , Puja (spiritual offerings) are given to the God Lakshmi for prosperity , wealth & peace. Diyas (lamps) are lit , firecrackers are burned, people visit to their relatives , & while city is decorated by beautiful lights & the sky is filled with firecrackers & lanterns.
Day 4 : Padwa , Balipratipada : Gifts are exchanged between husband & wife / loved ones. Usually people visit their friends & relatives on this beautiful occasion & build positive relations with everyone.
Day 5 : Bhai-dooj : Signifies the brother sister relation , where the sister gives gifts to the brother , prepare food for them & celebrate the festival with love.
Things / Places to shoot :
1. Old cities of your city. The old city is the place one should visit to shoot the natural & actual beauty of the festival.
2. One could get a beautiful aerial shot from a high point in the city where they could shoot slow shutter with all the fire crackers & the city landscape.
3. Deep in the alleys of the city , where a natural shot can be taken of kids playing & celebrating the festival.
4. The bazaar (shopping areas) , some slow shutters can be captured with the crowd.
Equipments to carrey :
1. A wide-angle lens is preferred.
2. Fish-eye lens can give some beautiful shots in the city alleys.
3. A 35mm / 50mm lens for portraits can be used.
4. A lot of chocolates , to share the happiness with everyone you can , while exploring the untold stories.
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Happy Diwali!