DIWALI BEING CELEBRATED TODAY

DIWALI BEING CELEBRATED  
WITH FERVOUR ACROSS INDIA

New Delhi - Diwali, the festival of lights, is being celebrated across the country with traditional fervor and zeal today.  The festival is important for its association with the uplifting of religious darkness in the souls of people.  Diwali symbolizes the triumph of truth and righteousness over falsehood and of good over evil, highlighting the high values and ethos of our great civilization. President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh have greeted the people on this occasion. President Patil in her message said: “On the festive occasion of Diwali, I express my greetings and best wishes to all my fellow citizens. May the festival of lights dispel darkness and gloom and bring joy, happiness and prosperity to the people of our country.”  Vice President Ansari in his message said that Diwali, the festival of lights, signifies the victory of good over evil and strengthens our resolve to follow true ethical values in our lives.

“I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Diwali. The festival of lights signifies the victory of good over evil and strengthens our resolve to follow true ethical values in our lives,” he added.  The Prime Minister expressed hope that the festival of lights will dispel darkness and gloom and brings joy, happiness and prosperity to the people.  Scams involving the UPA government have made Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wiser. For the first time in seven years as PM, he has appealed to his well- wishers not to send him gifts on Diwali.  Through a public statement, Singh has asked people to donate to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund instead. Surprisingly, none of his ministers has made a similar appeal.

Fireworks, earthen lamps dotted houses and people exchanged sweets and gifts.  The Diwali season is upon us - five days of food, festivity, friends, family and worship. For Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world these sacred days are not only a time of celebration and consumption, but one of reflection, too.  Nearly one billion Hindus across the world celebrate the coming of Rama as their most important festival, Diwali - the Festival of Lights.  In South India, Deepavali marks the victory of Lord Krishna over the mighty asura, the demon Narakasura.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

After defeating Ravana, Rama gave back the kingdom to Vibhishna, the brother of Ravana, thus establishing an eternal legacy for the Hindus that they might not usurp any possession that does not belong to them.  Winning a war does not alter this principle.  After winning the war and releasing Sita from the wicked Ravana, the period of fourteen years was over.  It was time to return to Ayodha.  The people of Ayodha were most eagerly waiting for this day.  They welcomed their beloved Rama, along with Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman, by lighting candles to welcome them. ... Diwali, or Deepawali, as it is often called, is the Festival of Lights.  Undoubtedly, it is the most popular festival of Hindus. Nearly one billion Hindus celebrate this auspicious event with gusto and religious sentiment in all parts of world.  Diwali signifies the return of Lord Rama, after completing his fourteen years of exile in the forest and winning victory over the wicked King Ravana.

Dr. Hiro Badlani:
“Hinduism - Path of the Ancient Wisdom”
Chapter 20 - “Victory of Righteousness over Unrighteousness”
Chapter 54 - “Hindu Festivals”
http://hinduismpath.com/