Fireworks are a popular tradition in celebrations and holidays world-wide. As a Festival of Lights, Diwali is a perfect holiday to use fireworks. Throughout the three to six days of the holiday, people of all ages, Hindu sects and socio-economic levels enjoy fireworks. Although many fireworks are bought and used by individuals, more and more city governments are putting on displays. In small towns and rural areas, the temples will also include fireworks in their Diwali festivities.

The tradition of fireworks goes back to some of the legends behind Diwali. One legend concerns the return of Lord Rama, his wife Siti and his brother to their home after a 14-year exile. During the exile Rama had defeated and killed the demon-king Ravana in a huge battle. It is said that Rama’s return was on the dark night of a new moon. In order to welcome him and his party, the villagers of Ayodhya lit the road with rows of lights. This act gave the Diwali celebration its name, which means rows of lights. In their great joy they also set off many fireworks and lit the sky as well as the road. Today Diwali celebrators reenact that joy and the triumph of good over evil and right over wrong by doing the same as the ancient people of Ayodhya.

Another Diwali legend features the demon-god Bali. Vishnu was in his reincarnation as a dwarf when he killed Bali. According to some accounts, Vishnu stomped Bali’s head into the netherworld. He did allow Bali one favor, however, and that was to return to earth once a year. During his return, Bali lights millions of lamps and puts lights in the sky to banish ignorance and spread wisdom and love. Generally this celebration of Bali’s return occurs on third day of Diwali. People light their lamps and lanterns and set off fireworks to add to Bali’s lights.

Diwali represents thanksgiving for the harvest and the end of the year, as well as the beginning of the new year. Since it is always held on the new moon day that ends the month of Ashwan, the nights of the festival are always dark. Using the fireworks to dispel the darkness makes a perfect addition to this holiday. The fireworks are an expression of worship to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity. The sound of the fireworks express the people’s joy and alerts the gods to accept the gratitude of the people. An added boon to using fireworks during this celebration is the fumes and smoke produced kills many insects and mosquitoes!

Some of the favorite fireworks or the celebration include anars or furious rockets and phirki, ground crackers which can be very loud. Everyone loves to see the rockets which shoot high into the dark sky and burst into umbrellas of color and rain down light. Fire pencils and/or sparklers are favored by the children. Each dark evening of the days of celebration, fireworks can be seen on the streets and in the skies of each of the countries celebrating Diwali.

Certainly fireworks are exciting and beautiful, but they can also be dangerous. India has fewer restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks than many other countries, so often advertises precautions and safety rules for their use. These are some of the more common and common-sense ones: 1) Store fireworks carefully and keep them dry before use. 2) Always use the fireworks in an open area, keeping people, especially children at a safe distance. 3) Never leave children alone around fireworks. 4) Always light the fireworks with slow burning incense sticks. Making sure fireworks are used safely ensures that a