Diwali 2015 Indian Festival of Lights
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Diwali 2015 Indian Festival of Lights
10th Nov 2015 4:07 PM
Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is the five-day Indian festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists around the world. While the holiday is observed by people of different faiths for different reasons, they all acknowledge its underlying theme: the victory of good over evil and the triumph of light over darkness. Diwali gets its name from a combination of the Sanskirt words for "light" and "row," as many Indians use rows of clay lamps to decorate their homes.
The first day of this five-day festival was 9th Nov this year, but the most significant day of the festival is the third, which falls on Nov. 11. The festival occurs in October or November every year, though the exact dates are determined by the Indian lunar calendar.
Diwali started as a harvest festival that commemorated the last harvest of the year before winter began. Indians would thank and seek blessings from Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, as they closed out the financial year and looked ahead to the new one. Many Indians continue this tradition, marking the day after Diwali as the first day of the financial new year.
Different religious groups associate Diwali with different historical events, myths and traditions, but the theme of light runs through all of them.
According to some interpretations of Hindu tradition, Diwali marks the end of the exile period for King Rama, his wife, Sita, and his brother Lakshmana. Lord Rama was exiled after killing Ravana, a demon king. Other Hindus celebrate Diwali as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura, or the day that Lord Vishnu banished demon King Bali to the netherworld.
Diwali has a special significance for Buddhists. To them, the spiritual insight of Diwali is the triumph of good over evil as Emperor Ashoka gave up his violent ways and chose the path of peace and nonviolence on this day only. Diwali is an important day for the Sikhs too. This is the day when their religious leader Guru Hargobind Ji was able to free himself along with other kings and gurus from the prison of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. This is the day when Lord Mahavira attained Moksh, Nirvana, or eternal bliss. Naturally, it is a great event in Jainism. Diwali is thus celebrated as ‘Mahavira Nirvan Diwas‘ also called ‘Mahavir’s Nirvan Kalyanak Divas‘ which means the Lord Mahavir’s Attainment Anniversary.
On this festive occasion, Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh communities also mark charitable causes, kindness, and for peace. For example, at the India Pakistan international border, every year on Diwali, Indian forces approach Pakistani forces and offer traditional Indian sweets on the occasion of Diwali. The Pakistani soldiers anticipating the gesture, return the goodwill with an assortment of Pakistani sweets
Diwali is celebrated around the world including Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and the United States. With more understanding of Indian culture and global migration of people of Indian origin, the number of countries where Diwali is celebrated has been gradually increasing. While in some countries it is celebrated mainly by Indian expatriates, in others it is becoming part of the general local culture.
Many events are held in Australia to celebrate Diwali. Large-scale Diwali events, such as fairs and carnivals, are held in all the capital cities. These events often feature:
Organized firework displays, Food stalls with assorted Diwali sweets, savories and herbs. Dancing and musical performances. Stalls offering henna paintings. Many people wear their finest clothes to celebrate Diwali. Many women wear jewelry and silk outfits. Various lights, lanterns, and candles lit at Diwali events, as well as in and around some private homes.
Gladstone Indian Cultural Community Celebrating this event since last few years. With the help from Gladstone Multicultural Association Inc. this year the celebration been made open to all. The Diwali Night will be held in Clinton State School Hall this Saturday 14th Nov. 2015 from 06:00 PM. Last year’s Diwali celebration was attended by about 300 patrons.
The first day of this five-day festival was 9th Nov this year, but the most significant day of the festival is the third, which falls on Nov. 11. The festival occurs in October or November every year, though the exact dates are determined by the Indian lunar calendar.
Diwali started as a harvest festival that commemorated the last harvest of the year before winter began. Indians would thank and seek blessings from Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, as they closed out the financial year and looked ahead to the new one. Many Indians continue this tradition, marking the day after Diwali as the first day of the financial new year.
Different religious groups associate Diwali with different historical events, myths and traditions, but the theme of light runs through all of them.
According to some interpretations of Hindu tradition, Diwali marks the end of the exile period for King Rama, his wife, Sita, and his brother Lakshmana. Lord Rama was exiled after killing Ravana, a demon king. Other Hindus celebrate Diwali as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura, or the day that Lord Vishnu banished demon King Bali to the netherworld.
Diwali has a special significance for Buddhists. To them, the spiritual insight of Diwali is the triumph of good over evil as Emperor Ashoka gave up his violent ways and chose the path of peace and nonviolence on this day only. Diwali is an important day for the Sikhs too. This is the day when their religious leader Guru Hargobind Ji was able to free himself along with other kings and gurus from the prison of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. This is the day when Lord Mahavira attained Moksh, Nirvana, or eternal bliss. Naturally, it is a great event in Jainism. Diwali is thus celebrated as ‘Mahavira Nirvan Diwas‘ also called ‘Mahavir’s Nirvan Kalyanak Divas‘ which means the Lord Mahavir’s Attainment Anniversary.
On this festive occasion, Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh communities also mark charitable causes, kindness, and for peace. For example, at the India Pakistan international border, every year on Diwali, Indian forces approach Pakistani forces and offer traditional Indian sweets on the occasion of Diwali. The Pakistani soldiers anticipating the gesture, return the goodwill with an assortment of Pakistani sweets
Diwali is celebrated around the world including Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and the United States. With more understanding of Indian culture and global migration of people of Indian origin, the number of countries where Diwali is celebrated has been gradually increasing. While in some countries it is celebrated mainly by Indian expatriates, in others it is becoming part of the general local culture.
Many events are held in Australia to celebrate Diwali. Large-scale Diwali events, such as fairs and carnivals, are held in all the capital cities. These events often feature:
Organized firework displays, Food stalls with assorted Diwali sweets, savories and herbs. Dancing and musical performances. Stalls offering henna paintings. Many people wear their finest clothes to celebrate Diwali. Many women wear jewelry and silk outfits. Various lights, lanterns, and candles lit at Diwali events, as well as in and around some private homes.
Gladstone Indian Cultural Community Celebrating this event since last few years. With the help from Gladstone Multicultural Association Inc. this year the celebration been made open to all. The Diwali Night will be held in Clinton State School Hall this Saturday 14th Nov. 2015 from 06:00 PM. Last year’s Diwali celebration was attended by about 300 patrons.
