Diwali

The Festival of Lights

 Deepaavali
• Colloquially, also known as Diwāli

• Literal meaning, a row of lamps. Often

referred to as festival of lights.

• One of the biggest festivals of the Hindu

tradition

• Celebrated all over India

– Also in Kenya, Thailand, Trinidad and in
many more countries
 What is Deepaavali?
• If there is one occasion which is all joy
and all jubilation for one and all - the
young and the old, men and women -
for the entire Hindu world, it is
Deepaavali - the Festival of Lights. Even
the humblest of huts will be lighted by a
row of earthen lamps. Crackers resound
and light up the earth and the sky. The
faces of boys and girls flow with a rare
charm in their dazzling hues and colors.
• 5 Day Hindu festival
• Homes are thoroughly cleaned to
welcome the goddess Lakshmi.
Goddess of Wealth!
• Diwali means as much to Hindus
as Christmas means to
Christians.
• Lamp symbolizes knowledge -
Just as light overcomes darkness,
knowledge overcomes ignorance
and truth overcomes falsehood.
• The ancient story of how Diwali has
evolved into such a big festival varies
between the regions and states of
India.
• In the north, Diwali was the day when
King Ram's coronation was celebrated
in Ayodhya after his epic war with
Ravana, king of Lanka, who
possessed demonaic tendencies.
• In Southern India, there are two legends
connected with Diwali.
• (1) Victory of good over evil tendencies -
Demon Narakasura, challenged Krishna to
a battle. After a fierce fight of two days, the
demon king was killed at dawn.
• (2) The second legend shows the destruction of
arrogance, that of demon king Bali.
• Vishnu visited King Bali as a dwarf. The dwarf
only asked for three pieces of land, each piece
that would fit under his foot. Bali granted the gift
happily. However Vishnu, showing his true form,
covered heaven in the first step, earth in second.
Bali surrendered himself and invited Vishnu to
put third step on his head.
• Mango leaves and marigolds are
hung on top of doorways in each
home.
• Rangolis (patterns) are drawn with
different colored powders in front of
each doorway.
• Oil lamps are arranged in and around
the house. Hence, the festival has
acquired it name: Deepavali or Diwali
meaning “a rows of lamps”.
• On this day people buy some
jewellery for women of the house. It is
auspicious to buy something metallic,
especially silver.
• Tradition is to get up
very early and have
an oil bath before the
sunrise
• New clothes are
worn
• Earthen lamps are lit
• Diwali day starts early with fire works and
ends with fire works.
• Diwali is celebrated new year by dressing
in new cloths, wearing jewellery and
visiting families and business collogues.
They go to temples early in the morning
and start new work, new projects etc.
* The ancient folk art of floor decorations
from India
* It was a ritual of decorating the threshold
that originated as a form of thanks-
giving…and adornment of the earth that
nurtures us.
* Various designs with color, texture, and
flair. Also some friendly competitions!
Light Everywhere!!!