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