DIWALI 2013

HINDU FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
CELEBRATED ALL OVER THE WORLD

www.ibtimes.com - Diwali, the spectacular Hindu festival of lights celebrated all over the world, is kicking off today, Sunday, Nov. 3. The five-day event begins with traditional holiday staples like candles and oil lamps, called “diyas.” Diwali, a contraction of the word “Deepavali” - meaning row of lights in Sanskrit - is often celebrated with food, dancing, parties and, of course, colorful lights hanging everywhere. Many Hindus celebrate with prayer to Sita and Rama, the goddess and god of wealth and prosperity.
The festival symbolizes the victory of light over dark, good over evil, and knowledge over darkness, and honors of the return of Hindu god Rama to his kingdom after years of exile.

In the ancient Sanskrit epic “Ramayana,” Lord Rama along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana are welcomed back to their kingdom Ayodhya, with residents lighting oil lamps following the defeat of the demon king Ravana. Hindus continue to commemorate these events by lighting oil lamps, decorating their homes, and eating sweet treats. While some Hindus also exchange gifts made of gold, this year that could be problematic since a report last week said supplies of gold jewelry in India may be depleted right before Diwali. 
Diwali is not only celebrated in India, where more than 80 % of the country identifies as Hindu. Many other nations with large Hindu populations, like Trinidad and Tobago, also celebrate Diwali, each giving the holiday its own unique cultural flavor.

Happy Diwali to all of you. During this festival of lights, each house is lit up with oil lamps, candles and colourful electric lights. This very popular Hindu festival is celebrated on the new moon day when it is absolute darkness everywhere, so people light millions of lamps to get rid of the darkness. Traditionally, the earthen lamps with cotton wicks were lit in most of the houses. However with the changing modern times, earthen lamps have been replaced by candles in many of the houses. Yet, the concept of the festival of lights remains unchanged.  According to the epic “Ramayana”, it was the new moon day of Kartik when Lord Rama, Ma Sita and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after vanquishing Ravana and conquering Lanka. The citizens of Ayodhya decorated the entire city with the earthen lamps and illuminated it as a welcome to the Lord of their hearts. And the festival continues till today. Light is significant in Hinduism because it signifies purity, goodness, good luck and power. The existence of light means the non-existence of darkness and evil forces. We must also increase our faith and light the devotional lamp in order to illuminate our intellect, so we can well understand what is the real constitutional position that we must take and what is our duty we must fulfill in relation to God and our brothers and sisters. (Editor's note).

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/

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/