Lamps, Festival of

Lamps, Festival of a feast celebrated annually in Rajastban, in honor of the Hindu goddess, Lakshmi (q.v.). The festival is called Dewali, and every city, village, and encampment exhibits a most brilliant spectacle from the illumination. On this day it is incumbent upon every votary of Lakshmi to try the chance of dice, and from their success in the Dewali the prince, the chief, the merchant, and the artisan foretell the state of their coffers for the ensuing year.