**** Happy Diwali ****

[synergy777]

Diwali - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Diwali, or Deepawali (in Hindi - दिवाली or दीपावली), is a major Indian festival, significant in Hinduism and Jainism. Celebrated by Hindus and Jains across the globe, as the "Festival of Lights," where the lights or lamps signify the uplighting of darkness and victory of good over the evil within.

The day also commemorated the homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya, after a 14-year exile in the forest[1], and thus the people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed him back by lighting up rows of lamps (deepa-wali), thus its name, Deepawali, or simply shortened as Diwali.

The celebrations focus on lights and lamps, particularly traditional dīpa or deeya (earthen lamp), and fireworks. Though colloquially called Diwali in North India, in South India it is called Deepavali.

Diwali is celebrated for five consecutive days at the end of Hindu month of Kartika (purminata) or Ashwayuja (amanta). It usually occurs in October/November, and is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited festivals in India. Diwali comes exactly twenty days after Dussehra. Hindus, Jains and Sikhs alike regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family and social relationships. For Hindus it is one of the most important festivals, and beginning of the year in some Hindu calendars, especially in North India.

There are several beliefs regarding the origin of the holiday. The most repeated version is that Hindus celebrate Diwali to mark the time when Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana. Some also view it as the day Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura or in honor of the day Bali went to rule the nether-world, obeying the order of Vishnu. In Jainism it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred on Oct. 15, 527 B.C. It is also a significant festival for the Sikh faith. In India, Diwali is now considered to be more of a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith.

The festival marks the victory of good over evil, and uplifting of spiritual darkness. Symbolically it marks the homecoming of goodwill and faith after an absence, as suggest by the story of Ramayana.

The Sanskrit word Deepavali means an array of lights that stands for victory of brightness over darkness. As the knowledge of Sanskrit diminished, the name was popularly modified to Diwali, especially in northern India.

On the day of Diwali, many wear new clothes, share sweets and snacks. Some North Indian business communities start their financial year on Diwali and new account books are opened on this day.

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[lizzy]

Happy Diwali Synergy.....
When I lived in Muswell Hill, N. London many years ago, A good friend on mine would invite me. Man the food was incredible.

[anoninnyc]

is it diwali already? happy diwali. have a good one.

[synergy777]

yep, its a great time, week. we get bonfire night fireworks, and diwali fireworks, then soon after comes christmas, lol awesome. its great when you are a kid, loads of fireworks.

the food is great especially the indian sweets.

[razed1]

yes happy diwali to all :D

[razed1]

the little lamp made of clay, that you put oil into and light a cotton string


is called a DIVA


this word even has meanings in english, DIVa, as in divine, divination, even like a diva (what ppl call a woman)



and in diwali youre supposed to light alot of them, and let them burn into the night



the mayans had a ceremony, where one day in the year they would, put out every flame, and light in their whole civilization, (kind of like that big BLACKOUT ppl had on the east coast of north america a couple years ago)

this was meant to signify an end to a year, and the next day, all debts were forgiven and the year started anew

[revelations]

Happy diwali. What is diwali... what are the origins?

[mountain]

Happy Diwali! Eat plenty of tandouri and drink some lassi! Yum!

[blue]

diwali or deepawali the festival of lights. the central theme of diwali is the "victory of good over evil". it was started when Ram defeated Ravana, killed him and returned home after 14 years of exile along with his bro and babe. to welcome ram back to his kingdom...people lit lamps all over the city as to resemble light over darkness. t is the festival when school children are given 1 day holiday and the other day allowed to wear colour dress :p. this festival mostly falls in october-november based on the night of the new moon.

however, there are other themes to this as well

The Day of Narakchaturdashi.This is actually the pre-Diwali day and the beginning of the four day long festival. The day is associated with the legend of the demon Naraka.This holy day marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. According to Puranas Naraka, the son of Bhudevi, acquired immense power as a blessing from Lord Brahma after a severe penance. He soon unleashed a reign of terror in the kingdom of Kamarupa, harassing the lestial beings with his invincible might. Unable to bear the tyranny of the demon, the celestial beings pleaded with Lord Krishna to save them from his torture.But Naraka could not be easily killed as he had a boon that he could face death only at the hands of his mother Bhudevi. So, Krishna asks his wife Satyabhama, the reincarnation of Bhudevi, to be his charioteer in the battle with Naraka.When Krishna feigns unconsciousness after being hit by an arrow of Naraka, Satyabhama takes the bow and aims the arrow at Naraka and kills him instantly. Later Lord Krishna reminds her of the boon she had sought as Bhudevi. The slaying of the Naraka by Sathyabhama could also be taken to interpret that parents should not hesitate to punish their children when they stray on to the wrong path.The message of Naraka Chaturdasi is that the good of the society should always prevail over one's own personal bonds.This Narakachaturdashi day is dedicated to lights and prayers heralding a future full of joy and laughter.
Day of Amavashya

Bali was the king of the nether world and his mighty power had become a threat to the gods. In order to curb his powers Lord Vishnu in the guise of a dwarf - a vaman - visited him and begged him to give him only that much land which he could cover with his three steps. Known for his philanthropy King Bali proudly granted him his wish. That very moment that dwarf transformed himself into the all-powerful Lord Vishnu. With his first step Lord Vishnu covered the entire heaven and with the second step the earth and asked Bali where to keep his third step. Bali offered his head. Putting his foot on his head Vishnu pushed him down to the underworld. At the same time for his generosity Lord Vishnu gave him the lamp of knowledge and allowed him to return to earth once a year to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance and spread the radiance of love and wisdom.

there are many other versions also:

http://www.theholidayspot.com/diwali/origin.htm
http://rumela.com/events/festival_diwali_history.htm
http://festivals.iloveindia.com/diwali/history-of-diwali.html
http://www.diwalifestival.org/diwali-in-history.html

[nuit]

Happy Diwali synergy

[revelations]

Thanks for that blue :D

[lydia78]

1151

Happy Diwali Syn ;):)

[razed1]

Happy Diwali! Eat plenty of tandouri and drink some lassi! Yum!


oh no meat plz! :D