HAPPY NAVRATRI TO ALL

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History of Diwali_--------

Diwali most popularly known as the festival of lights is one of the grand festivals of India, which is in other words, can be described as the land of innumerable festivals. Diwali is celebrated since ancient times. In words, it is hard to describe the actual reason or the history of Diwali. It is believed that there are many possible reasons behind the origin of Diwali. It is also true that different types of people believe in different types of historical reasons. This page consists of some of the more popular historical reasons of Diwali origin. So, just check them out....
Diwali History---
The most popular history behind the celebrations of Diwali is that this day marks the return of Lord Shri Rama Chandra after his exile and his defeat over Ravana.

On this day, Lord Shri Rama, his wife Sita and his loyal brother Laxman returned to Ayodhya after 14 long years of exile. He returned after defeating demon king Ravana who abducted Sita. In his battle against Ravana,Lord Hanuman and the military of monkeys helped him.
.. In Ayodhya, people lit lamps and diyas (earthen lamps) and celebrated the homecoming of Lord Shri Rama. The people also lit firecrackers as an expression of their happiness and joy. They welcomed Lord Shri Rama with lit lamps. And since then the tradition continued and every year the festival of Diwali is celebrated by lighting millions of lamps on this auspicious day as a gesture of respect. Prayers are offered in temples.
This story of Ramayana, the Hindu epic is indeed the most popular story behind the celebrations of Diwali. Lord Rama who was the prince of Ayodhya was ordered by the king of Ayodhya and his father King Dasharatha to go away and return only after completing 14 long years in the forest.

Lord Rama followed his orders and left with his wife Sita and brother. During that period Demon king Ravana abducted Sita and took her to his kingdom of Lanka. Lord Rama fought against the demon king and ultimately killed him. In this way, Lord Rama rescued Sita and returned to Ayodhya. People of Ayodhya decorated Ayodhya with millions of lamps and celebrated this significant day.
Ever since then, the homecoming of Lord Shri Rama was celebrated and the tradition of lighting lamps, bursting firecrackers is observed as Diwali. This festival is also called as Dipawali.
Another not-so-well-known story is believed to have started the Diwali celebrations. Lord Krishna had a battle with demon Narakasura and defeated him and emerged as the winner. People celebrated his victory lamps.

DIWALI SWEET-
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Diwali Foods---Diwali Recipes
----It is a common tradition in India that just B4 the festival of Diwali, the female members of the family start preparing special dishes and foods entirely meant for Diwali with special Diwali Recipes.

This festival of lights, also known as Dipawali has a common custom of exchanging sweets along with the gifts to their loved ones. The homemade sweets and snacks are more appreciated by all. So have a look at some of the mouth-watering and traditional Diwali special delicacies that are listed below along with the Diwali Recipe notes--------
Besan ki Barfi--------Ingredients Besan-Sugar-Ghee, Water-Pistachios and Almonds for garnishing.....
Directions Firstly, in a pan heat ghee and fry the besan in it for near about 30 minutes. Stop frying it when the color of the besan becomes slight pink and it separates from ghee. Prepare syrup of sugar and water and then add it to the besan. Mix it properly and pour it in a tray that is thoroughly greased. Let it cool, and then cut the mixture into cubical pieces. Serve it after garnishing it with almonds N pistachios
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KHEER----Ingredients-Long grain rice (properly washed and drained), milk, sugar, almonds, cardamom seeds, saffron, pistachio nuts, raisins..
Directions- firstly put all the main ingredients that are milk, rice and sugar in a pan and boil them. Boil them gently until the rice becomes soft and starts to break up. Add the almonds, raisins, cardamom seeds, saffron, and the pistachio nuts to the mixture and let it simmer for some more minutes. Add the sugar at the end and let it dissolve completely Remove it from the heat and serve it hot or cold as per your wish. It tastes awesome in both ways........
BADAM FIRNI------
Ingredients Almonds,Milk, sugar,Rice flour, saffron, cardamom powder.....
Directions- Firstly, make a fine paste by grinding the almonds with milk. Then mix the almond paste with rice flour. In a pan boil milk, add sugar to it and stir properly. Separately dissolve the saffron in a little amount of milk. After that add the mixture of the almond paste and the rice flour into the boiling milk that also comprises saffron. Stir the mixture continuously until the entire mixture thickens. Remove it from fire and add the cardamom powder and let it cool in the room temperature and then refrigerate it. Garnish it with pistachios and almonds and your delicious Badam Phirni is ready to be served.......

GUJIYA-------------
--Ingredients-Flour- Raisins-Khoya-Almonds-Edible oil-water and sugar....
DIRECTION--Firstly make a binding consistency by mixing the flour with oil and some water. After making the dough set it aside by covering it with a damp cloth, then in separate pan heat some oil and fry the khoya until its color changes to light brown, then add sugar and mix it thoroughly. Add raisins and almonds to the mixture. After that make small sized chapattis out of the dough and fill it with the khoya mixture and seal the edges and deep fry them. Serve them hot or if you wish you can also store them and can have it anytime.

GAJAR HALWA--
------Ingredients--Carrots, milk, water, cardamom seeds, almonds, pistachios, sugar, ghee, raisins...
DIRECTION--Wash and properly grate the carrots. Then boil some water and add the grated carrots in it. Cook for near about 7 or 8 minutes. Then add milk and continue cooking on a low flame and stir the mixture in between. Add sugar, and milk and cook it until the sugar gets dissolved in the milk. Add ghee and the raisins and properly crushed cardamom seeds. Mix the whole mixture well. Remove it from the heat and serve it hot after garnishing with pistachios and almonds.

With all these mouth-watering recipes, you will surely have a delightful Diwali.

Diwali rangoli-----------------
During Diwali rangoli is designed at the doorstep to welcome Goddess Laxmi and guests. Rangoli, across India is popular with different names like Alpana (in Bengal) and kolam (in South India). Rangoli word can be broken into two words rang which mans color and aavalli string of color__ It is a Sanskrit word which means row of colors. Diwali rangoli is a creative expression of art through the use of color. Some of the popular Diwali motifs are Lord Ran, Sita and Laxman, Goddess Laxmi, lotus, floral patters, and celestial patterns such as the sun, the moon and the stars etc...The main reason behind the Diwali rangoli by the families is to welcome Goddess Laxmi, deity of wealth and fortune into the household and ward off the evil spirits. To make beautiful and intricate Rangoli patterns, a variety ingredient are used like barks of trees, leaves and flowers; rice, synthetic colors, cereals, pulses, and colored powder such as rice, brick, chilly, turmeric etc.