saregamapa

Wishing You All a Bright and Prosperous Diwali!

Wishing You A Bright Diwali! Free Happy Diwali eCards, Greetings from 123greetings.com

Punjabee in USA

Thanks ! Wish you the same

happyheart

Happy Diwali to all my Indian (Hindu/Sikh) friends on GS!!

K337

diwali ki sab ko shub kamanayein

what do u do on diwali?? lit diyas and stuff?

Dil Pakistan

Diwali Mubarak

saregamapa

Diwali: Financial Blessings Sought During Hindu Festival of Lights - WSJ.com

Victory of light over darkness


'Diwali,' which is the shortened form of the Sanskrit word, 'Deepavali' meaning an array of lights, is known with different names like Kaumudi Deepam, Dipalika etc., in different states. This is one of the few Hindu festivals that is celebrated across the length and breadth of the country by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and several other communities alike.

D A I J I W O R L D



India is a multi religious country, every year we enjoy lots of festivals belonging to different religions. These religions symbolize unity in diversity- -Sharjeel Khan


Dussehra, Diwali, Eid, Holi, Christmas all have their own unique style of celebration. Among the Hindu festivals Diwali, the festival of light is the most popular.


It is celebrated with fervour and gaiety among all races and religions. Although the festival seasons start from Dussehra which falls 20 days before Diwali, during the Hindu month of Ashvin.


According to legend, Shri Ram killed the demon king of Lanka, Ravana. Shri Ram prayed to 'Devi Durga' the Goddess of war and on the 10th day of the battle, Shri Ram killed Ravana and it is for this reason that Dussehra is also called 'Vijaydashmi'.


After 20 days of Dussehra, Diwali is celebrated in the Hindu month of Kartik (around Oct-Nov) on amavasya. Hindus all over the world celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm.


Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over Darkness, it is a mark of triumph of good over evil. This day is devoted to Goddess Lakshmi as it is believed that she pays each house a visit on this day. People hold Lakshmi pujan in their homes.


Diwali is also the festival of sweets and feasting. In the evening Diyas (earthen lamp) and candles are placed all around the house after which the entire family assembles for puja.

A big diya is lit and later taken around to light all the candles and diyas. Every town, village and the sky is lit with thousands of crakers bursting and diffusing colors in the sky.


Traditionally this day marks the commencement of the new financial year. It is a very special day for the business community, many business deals are finalized around this time, employer give diwali bonus and other gifts to their staff.


There are some negative sides of this festival too. Some people indulge in gambling on the day of Diwali because it is believed that the wife of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, played a dice game with him on this day and therefore, those who gamble on this auspicious day are blessed with prosperity.


The celebration of this five-day festival commences on Ashayuja bahula chaturdashi and ends on Kartika shudda vijaya. The first day of this festival begins with dhan trayodashi or dhanteras. According to the scriptures Lord Dhanvantari who is also an incarnation of Lord Vishnu came out of the ocean that was churned by the Devtas and Rakshas on the day of Dhanteras. He appeared with 'Ayurveda 'for the welfare of mankind.
After Dhanteras the second day of Diwali is 'Narak Chaturdashi' It is popular also as choti Diwali. Narak Chaturdashi is related to the demon king 'Narkasur' who was the ruler of 'Pragjyotishpur' a province near Himalaya. Once Narkasur defeated Lord Indra during a war and snatched away the magnificent earring of Goddess Aditi, who was the ruler of Suryalok and also a relative of Lord Krishna's wife Satyabhama. By the help of Lord Krishna Satyabhama defeated Narkasur and released all women and saints who were imprisoned by Narkasur in his palace. Satyabhama also restored the magnificent earring of Goddess Aditi.


The third day of Diwali also called Badi Diwali, The main day of celebration. Behind the celebration of Diwali there are many stories. The famous one is that Sri Ram, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the eldest son of king of Ayodhya, Dashrath took birth to free the earth from the cruelty and sin of ten-headed demon king of Lanka Ravana.


The fourth day of Diwali is devoted to Govardhan puja (worship of Mount Govardhan). According to Vishnu Puran, the people of Gokul and Brij use to offer prayer to Lord Indra because they believe he was Indra who sent rains for them but Lord Krishna told them it was Govardhan Parvat and not Lord Indra who caused rains for them so first they should worship Govardhan Parvat and then Lord Indra so the people did the same but it made Indra furious resulting in heavy rains at Gokul; then Lord Krishna came forward to save the people and lifted Govardhan Parvat as an umbrella on the little finger of his right hand for everyone to take shelter under it. After this incident Lord Krishna was also called Girdhari and Govardhan Dhari.


The fifth day of Diwali is Bhai Dooj (Bhau Beej) also called 'Yamdwitiya' because Yamraj the God of death visited his sister 'Yamuna' on this day, the day 'Shukla Paksh Dwitiya' in the month of kartik.


Diwali is also an important day for the Sikh community because the sixth guru 'Guru Hargovind Ji' came back from the captivity of Gwalior fort; people lighted lamps in his way to welcome him. The day of Diwali is also very important for Jain community; Lord Mahavir attained Nirvana or Moksha on this day. The Jain businesspeople traditionally start their accounting year from Diwali. They take it as a good omen.


Diwali, the Pan-Indian Festival of Lights - Photo Essays - TIME

~MuNiYa~

happy diwali to you all -

hope this year brings nothing but bright light into you're lives.

saregamapa

Diwali in Pakistan

worldculturenet.com Diwali in Pakistan


Obama celebrates Diwali in White House

President Obama celebrates Hindu holiday - Belief Blog - Washington Times#


America's minority religions certainly are getting a nice reception at the White House these days, with the latest celebration -- the Hindu holiday of Diwali -- taking place this afternoon in the East Room. Known as the Hindu "festival of lights," it begins Saturday.



Mr. Obama:

"I think it's fitting that we begin this work in the week leading up to the holiday of Diwali -- the festival of lights -- when members of some of the world's greatest faiths celebrate the triumph of good over evil.


"This coming Saturday, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, here in America and around the world, will celebrate this holiday by lighting Diyas, or lamps, which symbolize the victory of light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. And while this is a time of rejoicing, it's also a time for reflection, when we remember those who are less fortunate and renew our commitment to reach out to those in need.


"While the significance of the holiday for each faith varies, all of them mark it by gathering with family members to pray and decorate the house and enjoy delicious food and sweet treats. And in that spirit of celebration and contemplation, I am happy to light the White House Diya, and wish you all a Happy Diwali, and a Saal Mubarak."

pallavpotter

Diwali Mubarak ho!

sidra0092

Arleitter

Thanks..I am in Singapore now and Singapore government has carried out eleborate arrangements for this festival Little India is lighted up with colours

Thank you Singapore Government

FairyTale

Happy diwalee to all Indians

Arleitter

^Thank you

Lost souls

i could not buy enough crackers this time..................bad............too bad...........

ehsan

Diwali celebrations in Pakistan:

DAWN.COM | Media Gallery | Diwali celebrations in Pakistan

Arleitter

^ )

Arleitter

A national tragedy...uhhhhh?

Lost souls

^^not just a tragedy........its of a national Calamity scale....................Man.........this diwali just doesn't feel like one.........i went to all the relatives and friends i know and bursted their crackers........i burnt 2 fingers trying to burst a sutli bomb...........If it ain't a lot of crackers,it ain't feel like Diwali for me! Eco-friendly diwali and similar stuffs are just another way for the kanjoos and makhkhichoos to save some money!

Deeba1234

Happy Diwali to all the Hindus on the forum

OP isn't really banned, is he? Seems kinda sad he'd wish 'Happy Diwali' then get kicked off the forum..

Nosherwan

Happy Diwali to all Pakistani Hindus.