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Diwali
Festival of Lights
Diwali derived from the Sanskrit word
“Deepavali”
Deepa means light
Avali means a row
Diwali = Deepavali means a row of lights
Diwali is celebrated in the months of October/November on the
darkest night (Amavasya) of this period.
Hindus in India and across the globe celebrate Diwali.
Diwali celebrations can last up to five days. Each region of the
country celebrates the triumph of good over evil in a uniquely
regional way.
Celebrations Include
Lighting of Diyas or earthen lamps
in every corner of homes.
Decoration of homes in multi-colored
and floral design (Rangoli).
Visits to the temples and offerings to Lakshmi,
the Goddess of spiritual and material prosperity
Celebrations Include
Purchase of new Clothes
Exchange of sweets with
friends and neighbors.
Fireworks
Significance of Diwali
Diwali is based on spirituality, beliefs, myths and legends of the
triumph of good over evil.
Illumination of the diyas symbolizes the removal of
spiritual darkness and the onset of wisdom or light.
In Northern India, Diwali is a celebration of the
welcome given to Lord Rama. In the great Hindu
epic, Ramayana, his subjects welcome him after
14 years of exile from his kingdom. Lord Rama
destroys the evil ruler of Lanka, Ravan, during
his exile.
Diwali is also the start of the new year for
Hindus in the northern regions of India.
The triumph of good over evil
Lord Krishna destroying the evil demon
Narakasura for abducting the females of
the community.
In Southern India, Diwali is
celebrated for the triumph of
Lord Vishnu over Hiranyakashapu,
an evil and unjust king.
Lighting a Lamp
• Lamps are lit for daily worship, rituals
and festivals
• Symbolizes KNOWLEDGE, as opposed to darkness or
ignorance
• Knowledge is lasting INNER wealth – A lamp is lit to bow to
knowledge as the greatest form of wealth
• God is “Knowledge Principle”, the source of all knowledge;
thus light is worshipped as the Lord Himself
• Oil or ghee in lamp – our “vasanas” or negative tendencies
• Wick – the ego
• When lit by spiritual knowledge, the “vasanas’ get
slowly exhausted, and the ego too finally perishes
• Flame burns upwards
• Similarly, acquiring knowledge takes us towards
higher ideals
A single lamp can light hundreds of lamps
• Similarly a man of knowledge can share knowledge
with others without diminishing his own knowledge