Have a fun and festive Diwali! This is but one of the traditional greetings for the celebration of India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. Diwali, which generally lasts five days, is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar months of Ashvin (according to the Amanta tradition) and Kartika — between around mid-September and mid-November. This year (in the western calendar), it on October 31! Thanks to Meera Srinivasan alert, we can delve into this fascinating (and gorgeous) holiday while it takes place.
Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, symbolizes the spiritual victory of Dharma over Adharma, light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means "row of lights." During the festival, celebrants illuminate their homes, temples and workspaces with diyas (oil lamps), candles and lanterns. "The light from these lamps symbolizes the illumination within all of us, which can overcome ignorance, represented by darkness," the Hindu American Foundation says.
In northern India, they celebrate the story of King Rama's return to Ayodhya after he defeated Ravana by lighting rows of clay lamps. Southern Indians celebrate it as the day that Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. And, in western India, the festival marks the day that Lord Vishnu, the Preserver (one of the main gods of the Hindu trinity) sent the demon King Bali to rule the nether world.
As with so many celebrations around the world, food is a major focus of Dwali, with families partaking in feasts and sharing mithai. The festival is an annual homecoming and bonding period not only for families, but also for communities and associations, particularly in urban areas, which organize community parades and fairs or music and dance performances in parks. Some people send Diwali greeting cards to family near and far during the festive season, occasionally with boxes of Indian sweets. Another aspect of the festival is remembrance of ancestors.
In the lead-up to Diwali, celebrants prepare by cleaning, renovating, and decorating their homes and workplaces with diyas (oil lamps) and rangolis (colorful art circle patterns) and jhalars (colorful fabric and fringes). Meera’s own entrance shelf holds Diwali decorations.
And she’s sent along a video of the preparation of a rangoli by a rangoli master.
Rangolis can be small, medium-sized, or huge. Click on the button below to see a large variety being prepared in a public place.
We started this piece with a traditional Diwali wish. Here are a few others:
May your Diwali be free from darkness and abundant with light.
Have a fun and festive Diwali!
Hoping your Diwali brings health, wealth, and happiness.
May your Diwali bring peace and love to your life.
Source: Wikipedia (where else?)