It's Diwali, The Festival Of Lights
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Today, millions of Hindus, Jains and Sikhs all over the world are celebrating Diwali. Also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, it is one of the most eagerly awaited and widely celebrated Indian festivals.
The day begins with most people visiting the temple to obtain blessings from the Hindu gods. Following that, they visit friends and family and exchange gifts and Indian sweets. Since buying gold jewelry is considered very auspicious on this day, the women dress in their finest Indian attire and head to the jewelers in the afternoon.
At night, the houses in India are lit up with diyas (small oil lamps) and the skies, with colorful fireworks. What makes it fun is that these are not professional displays - Instead, everyone creates their own show by lighting up their favorite crackers. The young ones stick to the sparklers, while the older ones brave it out with the louder, more powerful fireworks. The commotion continues late into the night until the very last firecracker has exploded.
The significance behind Diwali varies amongst the different states of India. While the stories may differ, they all celebrate the triumph of good over evil! For some Hindus, Diwali also marks the end of the calendar year. Tomorrow, they will celebrate the first day of the year 2069. That is because the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle, is 57 years ahead of the conventional Christian calendar, that we all follow.
For kids living in India, Diwali is the equivalent of Christmas in the western countries. They get a week's vacation from school, receive gifts from their parents and other relatives (no Santa Claus however!), wear beautiful clothes, eat great food and, get to play with sparklers and fireworks. Sounds fun doesn't it?
Happy Diwali!
Sources: About.com, BBCnews.com
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311 Comments
hacoalmost 12 yearsThat is so cool. What I learned is that the one festival of lights are in India, Diwali. I also learned that in some places in Diwali they have fireworks. Mostly if you go to the festival of lights in Diwali you will be surrounded by lights and I mean surrounded by lights.Just saying if I was surrounded by like millions and millions of lights I think it be bright. I also learned that the festival of lights stay open like all night and probaily some of the morning. I know I said it would be bright, but I would really like to go see The Festival Of Lights some day, and it doesn't have to be soon as long as I see it.
lapealmost 12 yearsThat is cool how every one gets together and they celabrate at the same time.- kaylaalmost 12 yearsthats cool
- Lindseyalmost 12 yearsSo Cool!!!
n_a_talmost 12 yearssomg that amazing- raniabout 12 yearswell to tell you the truth cubbies1 that it takes about 90 dollars if you want a nice fire-show. it very fun. and even though it some times dangerous with little kids hardly anyone gets hurt, maybe god protects us this day!
lemonysnicketabout 12 yearsI hope they are careful with the oil lamps because if there is a fire then it will spread easily. My mother tells me the patterns they make with the colored sand is known as "Rangoli". Indian attire is very beautiful and colorful. Diwali is an auspicious day to buy gold jewelery, the gold shops probably make a fortune. It is very interesting to know that the calendar based on the lunar cycle is ahead of the conventional Christian Calendar. We are in 2012 and those who follow the lunar calendar are entering 2069!!!
cubbies1about 12 yearsIt would be cool to actually be in India when Diwali was going on! I wonder how much it would cost for the fireworks, sparklers, candles, and matches? It would smell very smoky during Diwali. The people don't get any snow during their Christmas. It sounds like fun to get free treats from your neighbors. Some of the colored sand looks very wildly colored. I wonder how the sand gets its color? I have seen colored sand kits at the store before. I wonder if the American tradition of putting up Christmas lights come from Diwali?- cubbies1about 12 yearsIt would be amazing to actually be there and see all of the lights! I wonder how much it would cost to buy the firecrackers, sparklers, candles, and matches? It must smell very smoky during Diwali. Their christmas doesn't have any snow, just a lot of lights. I wonder if the tradition of putting up Christmas lights in America came from Diwali?
- Josephineabout 12 yearsI didn't know about Diwali, But I really liked the silk dresses.