Diwālī or Dīpāvali (also transliterated Deepavali; Sanskrit: row of lights) is the Hindu Festival of Lights. For Jains it is one of the most important festivals, and beginning of the Jain year. It is also a significant festival for the Sikh faith.
Diwali is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited festivals of India. It is celebrated for 5 consecutive days in Hindu month of Ashwayuja which usually correspond to the months of October or November. Hindus, Jains and Sikhs celebrate Diwali and use the occasion to celebrate life and strengthen relationships.
Typically, celebrations focus on lights and lamps, particularly traditional diyas (as illustrated), although electric lights have become widespread. Fireworks may also be associated with the festival in some regions.
I’m lucky enough to live in an area with lots of Hindus - we have so many fireworks through October/November that it’s like living in a warzone sometimes. A sparkly warzone. With lots of pretty colours.
There was an article about this in our local newspaper(Topeka, Kansas) in the Religion section last Saturday. It gave information on local residents of Indian heritage who are celebrating Diwali. The fireworks got mentioned, and there was a good picture of several women dressed in their best saris. I was glad to see the acknowledgement of a non-Christian religious holiday, although I am Christian myself.
Tonight I’m going to make some gulab jamun and some halva, and hang up some lights. On the weekend the temple is hosting some fireworks and a dinner, I may go to see that.
I’m not celebrating as such since i’m not religious but i am thoroughly enjoying the fireworks going off across London so if any of my neighbours are also members THANKYOU for the cool displays.
I might slink by my favourite Indian restaurant and pick up some food because tonight I really really have to clean up the place and cook for the rest of the week and that takes time.
I’m still at a loss for how to get into the cultural stuff in L.A…the local young desi whatever chapter seems woefully unorganized and doing something with the local Marathi club seems sort of retarded first b/c in my experience it’s a bit on the fobby + married peoples with kids side AND my bf is punjabi so what’s the point of us going to something punjabi or marathi focused? I don’t speak Hindi/Punjabi and he doesn’t speak Marathi so one of us is going to get left out.
I think our Diwali may consist of watching a Bollywood movie (hate!) and eating Tandoori chicken.
Yep - i know what you mean. It was kinda fun wandering from room to room until the wee small hours last night and watching all the different displays. But it was SO noisy. Boy am i tired this morning…
Not many Indians in my part of da Bronx, but Happy Diwali to all!
At Wellesley our International House had a big party, at which I got to see people of all ethnicities wander around scooping up food with their naan with bindis (?sp) on their foreheads. Fun!
