Saturday, November 11, 2023

Diwali: A Radiant Celebration of Light and Hope

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a five-day festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs worldwide. The word "Diwali" comes from the Sanskrit word "deepavali," which means "row of lights." The festival symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance." 


Diwali Festival


Diwali is celebrated in the Hindu lunisolar months of Ashvin and Kartika, which corresponds to late October and November in the Gregorian calendar. The exact dates of the festival change each year, but it generally falls in late October or early November.


The festival is celebrated with a variety of customs and traditions, including:


Lighting of diyas: Small earthen lamps, called diyas, are lit and placed inside and outside homes to dispel darkness and invite in good fortune.


Lighting of diyas Diwali Festival


Rangoli: Colorful designs made from colored sand or powder are created on floors and doorways to welcome the gods and goddesses.


Rangoli Diwali Festival


Fireworks: Fireworks are set off to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness.


Fireworks Diwali Festival


Sweets and savories: Traditional sweets and savories are exchanged among friends and family as a token of love and good wishes.

Prayer and puja: Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs offer prayers and perform puja ceremonies to invoke the blessings of their respective deities.


Diwali is a time for celebration, reflection, and new beginnings. It is a time to let go of negativity and embrace the light within and around us.


Here are some of the legends associated with Diwali:


The return of Lord Rama: In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Diwali is celebrated as the day that Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana returned to their kingdom of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. The people of Ayodhya rejoiced and lit up their homes with diyas to welcome them back.


return of Lord Rama Diwali Festival


The defeat of Narakasura: In southern India, Diwali is celebrated as the day that Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. Narakasura had imprisoned 16,000 princesses, and Krishna freed them and restored peace to the kingdom.


The release of Guru Hargobind: In Sikhism, Diwali is celebrated as the day that Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh guru, was released from prison along with 52 Hindu princes. This event is known as Bandi Chhor Divas, or "The Day of Liberation."




Diwali is a joyous and colorful festival that is celebrated by millions of people around the world. It is a reminder of the importance of light, hope, and new beginnings.

दीपावली की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं

Unlikely Buddha 


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