Festival of Lights

Wish you a happy and prosperous DEEPAVALI . May the festival of lights fill your life with the glow of happiness and the sparkle of joy.

 

Happy Diwali or Deepavali

There are various origins attributed to this festival. In Bengal, the festival is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Kali. In some parts it is also celebrated to commemorate the day on which Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with His wife Sita and brother Laxmana after defeating Demon King Ravana. Some part of India celebrates it as the marriage of Goddess Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. These are the historical significance of the festival.

Little clay lamps are lit as an offering to God to ward off evil spirits and to usher prosperity. This is also to welcome the new year on the following day, when businessmen start their new account books. It is an auspicious day for new beginnings. This is a festival of brotherhood, peace and harmony too because people from all religions are celebrating Deepavali in India.

May the divine light of Diwali shine with Peace, prosperity, happiness & good health in your life. HAPPY DIWALI.

 

Deepavali or Diwali

In a rare gesture to Indians worldwide as much as to showcase his — and America’s — multicultural affections, US President Barack Obama on Wednesday lit a ceremonial Diwali lamp at the White House to “symbolize victory of light over darkness”. Although it was the Bush administration that began celebrating Diwali in the White House in 2003, Obama became the first President to personally grace the ceremony.

Deepavali is the celebration of the Light over darkness,  goodness over evil, knowledge over ignorance. Lights are lit on the auspicious day of Deepavali not just decorate the homes but also to communicate this profound truth about life. Light the lamp of wisdom and love in every heart and bring a radiant smile on every face.

On this auspicious occassion, Laxmi, the goddess of wealth is also worshiped. In this festival, sweet is distributed which symbolises the dispelling of the bitterness of the past and renewal friendship.

Wish you all a very happy Diwali. May Diwali bring all happiness, prosperity in your life in the year ahead.

 

Darker side of ‘Festival of lights’

Today’s the ‘Festival of Lights’ all o’er;
a joyful day for minds and hearts and souls;
And people throng the Temples to offer,
Prayers, resolving to take roles.

And most of them are richly clad and clean,
and eat such dainty foods and sweets with mirth;
Whilst noisy crackers burst, their lights are seen,
It seems to be a happy day on Earth!

But are there not hearts woe-filled, very sad?
Denied of laughter, smiles for days;
Today’s the triumph of Good over bad;
But what about the wastage in much ways?
True joy is when you see someone else smile!
True charity gives joy in Heav’nly style.

~ John Celes

Acknowledgement : times of India

 

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

 

 

 

Festival of lights : Deepavali or Diwali

Diwali or Deepavali, the festival of lights has no religious boundary to celebrate it. Though it is a Hindu festival but nowadays, people of all the religions celebrate this festival. It has crossed all the physical boundaries of the country and has reached far off countries. In the age of Globalisation, Indian festivals too are globalised. Soon Diwali will be a International festival.

NASDAQ salutes festive spirits of India – 2006

Last year, US administration recognized the Indian festival and as a part of that the NASDAQ (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations), which is the American stock market, saluted the festive spirit of India on the occasion of Diwali by decorating the building with Indian tricolour by lights.

This year the house of representatives of US has for the first time passed resolution recognizing the “Religious and historical significance” of Diwali. It’s a great honour for the Indian festival.

Some section of the society observes Deepavali as two days festival and for some it is a three day festival. It starts with the Dhan-Teras, on the 13 day followed by Narak Chaudas (the 14^th day) and by Deepavali on the 15^th day of the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of “Kartik” (October-November) month.

There are various origins attributed to this festival. Some part of India celebrates it as the marriage of Goddess Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. In Bengal, the festival is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Kali. In some parts it is also celebrated to commemorates the day on which Lord Rama returned to ayodhya with His wife Sita after defeating Ravana. This is the historical significance of the festival.

Little clay lamps are lit as an offering to God to ward off evil spirits and to usher prosperity. This is also to welcome the new year on the following day, when businessmen start their new account books. Families visit relatives and friends and exchange gifts and sweets. It is an auspicious day for new beginnings. This is a festival of brotherhood, peace and harmony too because people from all religions are celebrating Deepavali in India.

On this auspicious occasion, I wish you all a very happy Deepavali. Hope you have a wonderful year up ahead. May this festival of light brings all brightness, happiness to your life.

<<<<<<>>>>>>