Ravana — Archived from October 2009
I had narrated one of the many stories associated with Diwali on a previous occasion. This year I tell another story associated with the festival, this time a one that is popular in the North of the country.
Rama, crown prince of Ayodhya had been banished into the forest by his mother. During the fourteen years of exile, he endured many hardships, the biggest being the kidnapping and subsequent rescue of his wife Sita from the hands of the demon king Ravana. Ravana's death is celebrated by the festival of Dussehra, a few days before Diwali.
After the battle, Rama returned to Ayodhya with his wife and brother, Lakshman, to be greeted by joyous citizens. Flowers adorned his path and lanterns were lit to celebrate the return of the new king. Deepavali, an alternate name of the festival, literally means a row of lights.