DIWALI CELEBRATION

India is a land of Festivals. Many festivals are celebrated here with great pomp and show.Each festival has a religious or mythological significance behind it. Diwali is one of them.

The Diwali is normally celebrated every year during the Indain month of   kartika (which falls during October or November of   the Gregorian calender). This year Diwali day  falls on Saturday 21 October 2006.

However, the  Deep River/Pembroke East Indian Community has decided to celebrate  it on Saturday 28 October 2006 here at St. Mary School Auditorium in Deep River.

Diwali is the most widely observed festival in India. It is one of the most important and most celebrated festivals of India. Although primarily a Hindu festival, it’s observed by people of all religions and cultures in India. In sense of importance, it is to Hindus what Christmas is to Christians.  
Diwali or Deepavali festival is celebrated as the “Festival of Light’ in India. The entire family gets together, friends are invited and sweets, crackers and lights are shared and welcomed everywhere.    
Diwali is a major Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist festival/celebration. Known as the “Festival of Lights,” it symbolises the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind. Celebrations focus on lights and lamps, particularly traditional “diyas”. Indians regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family and social relationships. This tradition symbolizes end of darkness of ignorance and beginning of knowledge that enlightens all.

 Diwali in Hinduism
The festival marks the victory of good over evil. The Sanskrit word Deepavali means array of lights that stands for victory of brightness over darkness. Diwali also celebrates the return of Lord Rama, King of Ayodhya, with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya from a war in which he killed the demon king Ravana. It is believed that the people lit oil lamps along the way to light their path in the darkness.
 

Diwali in Jainism
Lord Mahavira, the last of the Jain Tirthankaras, attained Nirvana on this day at Pavapuri. According to Jain tradition the chief disciple of Mahavira, Gautam Swami also attained complete knowledge on this very day, thus making Diwali a really special occasion for the Jains to celebrate.

Diwali in Sikhism  

Sikhs also celebrate Diwali to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone for the Golden Templein 1577. It is also known as Bandi Chhorh Divas. The Mughal emperor Jahangir arrested the Sikh Guru Hargobind and imprisoned him in Gwalior. Later Jehangir relented and released the Guru. The Guru asked that 52 rulers imprisoned with him should also be released. To the joy of the Sikhs the Guru returned to Amritsar on Diwali and it prompted the followers to celebrate the day with joy and happiness.
Because there are many regions in India, there are many manifestations of the Diwali festival. In at least one area a day set aside to worship Goddess Laksmi (Goddess of Prosperity). On the second day Kali, the goddess of Strength, is worshipped. This day also focuses on abolishing laziness and evil.  On the third day (the last day of the year in the lunar calendar), lamps are lighted and shine brightly in every home. The lamp symbolizes knowledge. The fourth day of Diwali falls on the first day of the lunar New Year. At this time, old business accounts are settled and new books are opened. On the final (fifth) day, the focus of this day is to see the good in others, including enemies.

Pravin Shah
 

POEM

Deepavali Delights
Deepavali is here, Deepavali is here
That grand festival of Lights
That ends evil after a protracted fight
When good with all its might
Leads us from darkness to Light.Deepavali is here, Deepavali is here
That great festival of sound
When crackers and laughter abound
When crackers and sparklers light up the sky
When delighted children jump with joy.Deepavali is here, Deepavali is here
That gorgeous festival of snacks and sweets
Where everyone enjoys a royal feast
When old and young with delight meet
With love and affection all hearts beat.Diwali is here, Diwali is here
That gracious festival which celebrates victory
The ancient festival of myth and mystery
That is mentioned in both mythology and history
The festival that signals Triumph over Tragedy.