Culmination of Dusshera welcomes festival of light 'Deepavali', here is the connection between two major festivals

With the five-day-long Durga Puja came to an end with the immersion of idols, the preparations for Diwali, or Deepavali have started. For the uninitiated, the festival of light is celebrated 20 days after Dusshera.

 
Though we take part in these two festivals with great excitement, most of us are unknown about the link between these two festivals. 

To understand the mythological interconnection between these two major Hindu festivals, we have to peep into Treta Yug.
 

In Treta Yug, Lord Ram was born to king Dasarath and consort Kausalya at Ayodhya. His other siblings were Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughna. He along with Sita and Lakshman went into exile for 14 years to keep his father's promise given to Kaikeyi. 

During their stay in the forest, Lanka's demon king Ravan kidnapped Sita and took her to his kingdom. 

Lord Ram, his brother Lakshman and monkey troops led by Hanuman invaded Lanka. Lord Ram killed Ravan in the deadly battle. Before the commencement of the battle, Lord Ram worshipped Devi Durga, seeking Her blessings to win the battle. 

It was the tenth day of the Hindu calendar's Ashwina month. Thus this day has been observed as Vijaya Dashami, celebrating the victory of good over evil. 

After rescuing Sita, Lord Ram and others returned to Ayodhya. Back in the kingdom, they were given a grand welcome. The entire Ayodhya nagari was lit up with earthen lamps. The residents waited for the Ram, Sita, Lakshman and others to reach Ayodhya, putting lit-up lamps in front of their houses. 

To remember the homecoming of Lord Ram and others, year after year people are celebrating Diwali or Deepavali, 20 days after Dusshera or Vijaya Dashami by lighting lamps and bursting crackers. Literally, Deepavali means a row of lights.