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
stealthelfabout 12 yearsWow! it well be a lot of fun to go there.I love there the clothing that they wearing . It well be very nice to go there .- dc1213about 12 yearsit will look cool to go there
roos213_11about 12 yearsThose fireworks were cool.
roos213_2about 12 yearsTHE fireworks are awsome- cooldude54321about 12 yearswhat an event to know about !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
- Destinyabout 12 yearsLook so cool with all the lites
- girlyabout 12 yearsI celebrate Diwali. Its SO fun. BTW, I live in the U.S.
rrcherrypieabout 12 yearswow! I want to be in India when the next Diwali comes.I love the clothes and it would be nice if someone came to my door and gave me free treats.The sand comes in different colors that can also express feelings about the holiday. That holiday must be fun to celebrate. I wonder were they light up the firecrackers. I think that the people in India have so much fun like we do on christmas. A lot of the kids I see playing with the sparks look like they are brave (which they are) when they are playing. I would defenetly be scared to death it i was playing with sparks of FIRE! I would give a 10 if i had a choise from 1-10. They must really express there feelings and kindness on that holiday. When i saw this video and read the article I thought that it might be chirtmas for them. I absolutley love the clothing that they wair on the holiday because the have glitter and it probably would look great on anybody and anyone and mostly everyone!- rrcherrypieabout 12 yearsThese kids are lucky because they have an awesome holiday to spend time with there huge family! =)
snickers2about 12 yearsI wonder how many colored lights are on? The colored sands are just beauitful.I have always wanted to go to India now I have a reason to want to go there.- Jocelynabout 12 yearsit nice that kids get a week off of school