festival of diwali

Festival of DiwaliBy Sabrina Scott

Celebration

Celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains Usually falls in October or November Tuesday, November 13

Vikrama Calendar

New Year Festival in the Vikrama Calendar - late Ashvin to early Kartika

Falls on the night of the new moon– First day: Dhan Teras– Last day: Yama Dvitiya

The Festival of Lights

Lasts for over five days Candy and fireworks

Legends

Finding the joys in life Legends of victory vary throughout India

– Good vs. Evil– Light vs. Darkness

Derivation Dipavali - row of lights Diyas

– Windows of homes and public places– Mustard oil– Oil lamps in the Ganges River

Lakshmi Business --> Success Goddess of wealth, light

Elephants - powerLotus Flower - fertile growth, rebirthRed clothing - continuous activity

Worship Open windows with candles Small alters with pictures of nice belongings Rangoli - lotus pattern drawn on the ground Feast and celebration

Activities

Gambling– Legend - goddess Parvati on Diwali

Shopping– Candy, dried fruit – Gift exchange

Questions

Easier:– Who is the main goddess worshipped

during Diwali? Harder:

– What are small candles put on windowsills called?

Answers

Easier:– Lakshmi

Harder: – Diyas

Notes http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/holidays/diwali.htm http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/article35843.ece http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth+diwali http://www.vedicodyssey.com/adventures/1110_rajasthan/rajasthan_spi

ritual_adventure-diwali.shtml http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_calendar#Vikrama_and_Shalivahana

_calendars http://icetrail.blogspot.com/2011/06/diwali-games-gifts-date-pictures.ht

ml http://enjoydiwali.blogspot.com/2010/10/flower-rangoli-design.html http://www.indiamarks.com/guide/Diwali-The-Festival-of-Lights/173/ http://lifegivingmantras.blogspot.com/2010/07/parvati-swayamvara-

mantra.html http://www.theholidayspot.com/diwali/candle_decorations.htm http://www.exoticindiaart.com/lakshmiandsaraswati.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/diwali.shtml