Destination: India
Diwali also known as the festival of lights is one of the most popular festivals in India. It is a 5 day celebration that occurs during the month of October or November. Diwali is celebrated to rememer the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom in the city of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. Another reason for the celebration of Diwali is the birth of Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu.
In this festival, people decorate their homes with lights. They distrubute sweets to friends and family and burst fire crackers to celebrate the occasion. They also offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi to bless them with wealth and prosperity for the coming year.
Holi is a spring festival also knowns as the festival of color or festival of love. It is celebrated on the full moon day. People play with colors and water and greet each other with sweets and food. Holi signifies the victory of good over evil. The history of Holi is associated with a legendary king Hiranyakashipu who acted like a demon. He forced people to worship him like God. When his son Prahlad who was a follower of Lord Vishnu refused to worship him, he forced him to sit in a pyre of fire along with his sister Holika was immune to fire. Prahlad kept chanting Lord Vishnu's name and got saved while the evil sister of Hiranyakashipu was burnt. The death of Holika symbolizes the victory of good over evil and this is the reason why Holi is celebrated.