D I W A L I – “The Festival of Lights”

Diwali (traditionally known by its Sanskrit name „Deepavali” (meaning a row of lights) is the most important of all Indian festivals and is celebrated throughout India as well as in many countries around the world, particularly those with large population of Indian and Hindu origin,
from October 26 – 30, 2011.
Traditionally believed to be a Hindu festival of wealth and prosperity, Diwali has become an occasion for all Indians irrespective of their status and castes. It is by far the most important and glamorous festival for Hindus and very significant also in Sikhism and Jainism. The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists in Nepal, particularly the Newar Buddhists, where it is called Tihar and Swanti. Diwali is the special festival that unites whole India. It is a time to exchange sweets and gifts with friends, relatives and neighbours and a time of cheerfulness and togetherness. Diwali symbolizes the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance, although the actual legends that go with the festival are different in different parts of India. The festival is mainly associated with lights and is popularly also known as the Festival of Lights and its celebration of life and awareness of the “inner light”. The festival of Diwali lasts for five days and each of the five days is separated by a different tradition.
In Gujarati the New Year is celebrated on the day after Diwali (Amavasya or Annakut) and is referred to as Hindu Vikram New Year. This day marks the beginning of the new financial year in Gujarat as well as in other states of North India.
Outside India, Diwali is celebrated in various parts of the world, in countries such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Suriname, Canada, Guyana, Mauritius, Fiji, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Australia, much of Africa, the United States and many other places. It is an official holiday in India, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Mauritius, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Myanmar , Fiji , and Suriname.

Diwali takes place at the new moon, on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartik or Karthika (“Ashwin”) in the Hindu calendar. This is at the beginning of the winter season and is called the “darkest night of the year”, so lamps are lit to brighten this moonless night.
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Hindu Calendar

The Hindu calendar is a lunar calendar, with most years consisting of 12 lunar cycles and an extra month inserted approximately every seven years to resynchronize the calendar with the seasons.
On the Hindu calendar, Diwali is celebrated for five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month “Ashwin” to the second day of the light half of “Karttika”. On the Gregorian calendar, Diwali falls in the months of October or November, and always on a new moon day. Since the precise moment of the new moon falls on different Gregorian dates depending on geographical location, the date of Diwali can also depend on one’s location.
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MAIN SYMBOLS and TRADITIONS

Spiritual Significance

An Indian girl lights a Deepawali lamp in Ahmedabad (photo REUTERS © Amit Dave)

While Deepavali is popularly known as the “festival of lights”, the most significant spiritual meaning is “the awareness of the inner light”. Central to Hindu philosophy is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman.
Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Diwali is the celebration of this inner light, in particular the knowing of which outshines all darkness (removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance), awakening the individual to one’s true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality. With the realization of the Atman comes universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings Ananda (joy or peace).

Cleaning and Decorating the House

Diwali is considered to be the festival of the Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
On Diwali, Goddess Laxmi visits all homes to bless the people and to welcome the goddess, homes are cleaned & decorated.

Lights, Firecrackers and Sweets

The festival is celebrated with the lighting of small Diwali oil lamps(called diyas), and candles. Lamps and candles are placed around the home, in courtyards, verandas, gardens as well as on roof tops and outer walks. Especially in urban areas, candles are substituted for Diyas and among wealthy people neon lights are substituted for candles. The celebration of the festival is invariably accompanied by lots of fireworks and the exchange of sweets and gifts.
All the simple rituals of Diwali have a significance and a story to tell. The illumination of homes with lights and the skies with firecrackers is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity. According to one belief, the sound of fire-crackers is an indication of the joy of the people living on earth, making the gods aware of their plentiful state. Still another possible reason has a more scientific basis: the fumes produced by the crackers kill a lot of insects and mosquitoes, found in plenty after the rains.

Diwali Celebrations with Diyas:

A traditional Diwali “Diya” dance:

Firecrackers in the streets during Diwali (21 October 2006) in Hyderabad, India:

Nowadays there is a significant growth in campaigns on creating awareness over the adverse impacts of noise and air pollution. Some governments drive to keep the festival less noisy and pollution-free.

Sweets – Mithai

Diwali is also a festival of sweets, and the celebrations are not considered complete without the sweet delicacies that are popularly called Mithai in India.
No Indian family can do without sweet dishes on the occasion of Diwali, and from north to south and east to west India, in many households the female members of the family start preparing sweets days before the festival. This is a very old tradition in India.
Sweets are also offered in abundance at the Diwali markets all around the country, where people can choose from a huge range of different sweets and ingredients.
The variety of sweet dishes is endless, from mouth-watering halwas to tempting laddoos (a ball-shaped sweet made of flour and sugar with other ingredients that vary by recipe) and numerous other sweets, most of them depending on region, culture and family traditions.
It is also customary to exchange sweets with neighbors and friends.

Diwali Market at Sadar Bazar, Delhi:

“Food as a visible aspect of love” – on Diwali and throughout the year:

Apart from sweet dishes, there are many other delicacies that are made on the occasion of Diwali.

Gambling

The tradition of gambling on Diwali also has a legend behind it. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband Lord Shiva, and she decreed that whosoever gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the ensuing year.
Playing cards, especially flash and rummy, is a Diwali tradition that continues down to the present day.
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The Five Days of Diwali

Traditionally Diwali is celebrated for five days in many parts of India, each day having its own significance, rituals and myths. All the days except Diwali are named according to their designation in the Hindu calendar. In some Indian regions the rituals of Diwali start two days before “Dhanteras”:
The five festival days are:

DHANTERAS

Dhanteras or Dhanatrayodashi (“dhan” means wealth and “trayodashi” means 13 th day) actually means the thirteenth day of the lunar month. It is considered an auspicious day for buying utensils and gold. This day is regarded as the Jayanti of God Dhanvantri who came out during the churning of the great ocean by the gods and the demons.

NARAKA CHADURDASHI (Choti Diwali or Amavasya)

Chaturdashi is the 14th day on which the demon Narakasura was killed by Krishna – an incarnation of Vishnu. It signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness (in Gujarati: Kali Chaudas, Rajasthan: Roop Chaudas).
In southern India, this is the actual day of festivities. Hindus wake up before dawn, have a fragrant oil bath and dress in new clothes.
They light small lamps all around the house and draw elaborate kolams (a form of sandpainting that is drawn using rice powder by female members of the family) and rangolis (an ancient cultural tradition and folk art) outside their homes.

Rangoli

People also perform a special puja (religious ceremony) with offerings to Krishna or Vishnu, as he liberated the world from the demon Narakasura on this day. It is believed that taking a bath before sunrise, when the stars are still visible in the sky is equivalent to taking a bath in the holy Ganges. After the puja, children burst firecrackers heralding the defeat of the demon.

DIWALI / DEEPAVALI (LAXMI PUJA)

Deepavali marks the end of the harvest season in most of India. Farmers give thanks for the bounty of the year gone by, and pray for a good harvest for the year to come. Traditionally this marked the closing of accounts for businesses dependent on the agrarian cycle, and is the last major celebration before winter. The Hindu goddess Lakshmi symbolizes wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead.
Lakshmi Puja marks the most important day of Diwali celebrations in North India. Hindu homes worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesh, the God of auspicious beginnings, and light lamps in the streets and at home to welcome prosperity and well-being.

GOVARDHAN PUJA (Annakut, Bali Pratipada, Padava)

Govardhan Puja is the worship of Lord Krishna, which is celebrated as the day on which Lord Krishna obtained victory over Lord Indra. In North India, this day is also called Annakut, and is celebrated as the day Krishna – an invarnation of god Vishnu – defeated Indra and saved his kinsmen and cattle from rain and floods by lifting the Govardhana hill. For Annakut, large quantities of food are decorated symbolizing the Govardhan hill.
In Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the day is celebrated as Bali-Pratipada or Bali Padyami. It commemorates the victory of Vishnu in his dward form Vamana over the demon king Bali, who was pushed to the netherworld, and the return of Bali to earth from the netherworld.
In Maharashtra, the day is called Padava or Nava Diwas (new day). Men give gifts to their wives on this day.

BHAIDUJ (BHAI DOOJ)

The festival of Bhai Dooj is popularly known as Bhai Bij, Bhaubeej amongst the Marathi and Konkani speaking communities in the states of Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka. It is also known as Bhai-phota among Bengalis and as Bhai-Bij in Gujarati.
The festival day is based on a story when Yama, lord of Death, visited his sister Yami who welcomed him with a feast. Yama gave a gift to Yami while leaving as a token of his appreciation. In commemoration of this legend, brothers and sisters meet to express love and affection for each other and exchange gifts and sweets.

The Five Days of Diwali:

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ORIGINS and CELEBRATIONS

Historically, the origin of Diwali can be traced back to ancient India and may have originated as an important harvest festival, marking the time of the year before winter. In an agrarian society this results in businessmen closing their accounts and beginning a new accounting year. The deity of wealth in Hinduism, goddess Lakshmi is therefore thanked on this day and everyone prays for a good year ahead. This is the common factor in Diwali celebrations all over the Indian subcontinent.

Traditionally, the celebration of Diwali or Deepavali is associated with a number of mythological legends due to India’s varied cultural diversity:

North India

According to the Hindu epic ‘Ramayana’, Diwali is believed to be the time of the homecoming of Lord Rama (Sri Rama). Rama defeated and killed the evil King Ravana, and after passing a period of fourteen years in exile returned to his capital Ayodhya (in the Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh) on a new moon day of the Kartik season together with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman. This homecoming of Lord Rama was celebrated by lighting rows (avail) of lamps (deepa), fireworks, bursting of crackers and a lot of merriment. To commemorate this occasion, in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar and the surrounding areas huge effigies of Ravana are burned, symbolizing Lord Rama victory over the demon king.

Diwali night in these areas, is a night of fireworks, sparklers and crackers of all types burnt throughout the night. The idols of Goddess Lakshmi, the symbol of wealth and prosperity and Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god and symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, are worshipped in most Hindu homes on this day.
Most of the temples dedicated to the worship of Lord Rama or Krishna celebrate Diwali with great piety.

Eastern India

In the eastern region of the country, Diwali is celebrated with great fanfare. In Orissa, oil lamps, candles and lanterns are lit and placed in rows around homes. Crackers are burst, sparklers lit and gifts and sweets distributed by people across the state. The celebrations are almost like anywhere in India except one special traditional celebrating the spirits of the family’s forefathers. The custom includes burning of jute stems to light up the dark path back to heaven for the spirits of the ancestors.
Houses are brightly lit and doors and windows kept open to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, who is supposed to visit every home during this time and ignores all places that are kept dark and abandoned.

West Bengal

In West Bengal, Lakshmi Puja is celebrated earlier than the Diwali celebrations and the deity celebrated on this occasion is Goddess Kali. “Kali Puja” or the worship of Goddess Kali is what makes the celebration in this part of India a unique one. Across the state, pandals ( temporary tents of worship) are built up to honor Goddess Kali for the two days of celebration. The actual worship of the deity is, however, practiced for one night during the festival.
In Kolkata, the capital of the state, as well as in other parts of West Bengal the nights of “Kali Puja” are also celebrated similar to other regions in India, with fireworks, crackers, rows of lights and candles, colorful paintings at the doorsteps, wearing of new clothes and visiting friends and relatives.

Western India

In the western states of India, Diwali is a four-day festival, the preparations begin at least 15 days in advance. Markets are liven up almost a whole month in advance for Diwali shoppers and the peak sales period in anticipation of the occasion.
On the night preceding Diwali, Gujaratis start celebrations by creating traditional crafts and designs depicting images associated to the festival, like deities, sun and flowers from natural powder colors (called Rangoli) around their homes and at their verandas. Images of small footprints are also drawn at doorsteps which is supposed to be a way of inviting Goddess Lakshmi to the house. On the first day, Narakchaturdashi, fruits are smashed and crackers burst to symbolize the killing of the evil demon Narakasur. On Lakshmi Pujan, the second and most important day of Diwali, Hindu homes all over the western region of India worship the idols of Lord Ganesha (deity of auspiciousness and wisdom) and Goddess Lakshmi (deity of wealth and prosperity) as well as symbols of them like bank notes and gold.
The third day, Padawa, is considered to be one of the most auspicious days of the year in states like Maharashtra, and is held to be propitious for beginning new ventures and tasks. It is the day for shopping and lighting diyas (earthen lamps).
In Gujarat, the day is celebrated as the New Year, according to the first day of the Vikram Samvat calender (established by Indian emperor Vikramaditva, and a popularly used calender in India and the official calendar of Bangladesh and Nepal).
People visit friends and relatives to wish a good new beginning of the year.

Diwali Celebrations 2008, in Gondal, Gujarat:

Bhau Beej is the last day of the festival that signifies sibling bonding and the celebrations during this day are similar to Rakhi, another great Indian festival standing for the relationship between brothers and sisters.

Southern India

In Southern India, Diwali marks the day when Lord Krishna defeated the evil demon Narakasura who caused chaos and havoc. Krishna’s wife Satyabhama killed the demon.
In Southern India, Diwali is celebrated in the Tamil month of Aipasi and Naraka Chaturdashi is the main day of the Diwali celebrations in this area.
The preparations begin the day before, when the oven is cleaned, smeared with lime, religious symbols drawn on it and then filled with water for the next day’s oil bath. Homes are cleaned and decorated with traditional designs. Firecrackers are kept on a plate to be used on the following day. On the morning of Naraka Chaturdashi, the actual celebrations begin with an early morning oil bath before sunrise. Afterwards, sweets are eaten, new clothes worn and people are gathering in a temple for the morning prayers.
A unique Diwali custom in Tamil Nadu is the once-in-a-lifetime event, Thalai Deepavali, when newly weds spend their first Diwali after marriage in the bride’s parental home. The newly married couple, after taking blessings from the elders, burst the first crackers of the day and thereafter pay a visit to the temple, get gifts of clothes and jewellery, savor the sweets reserved for them and receive blessings of elders for a happy married life.

Maharashtra

In Maharashtra, Diwali is celebrated over a span of four days. The first day, Vasubaras, is celebrated by performing Aarti (prayer with songs) worshipping the cow and its calf representing the love between a mother and her baby. The next day is Dhanatrayodashi or Dhanteras, a special day for tradesmen and business people. It is the financial New Year where new account books are opened after worshipping Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi.
On the third day, Narakchaturdashi, people get up before sunrise and take a bath after rubbing scented oil on their body. After this, the whole family visits a temple for prayers and worshipping of the god.
Delicious sweets such as “Karanji” and “Ladoo” are an important part of the celebrations.
The fourth day is Lakshmi Pujan day, a new-moon-day, celebrated by lighting lamps and fireworks. In every household, an idol of Goddess Lakshmi and items of wealth like bank notes and jewellery are worshipped. Friends, neighbours and relatives are invited.

Rural India

In the rural regions of India, Diwali celebrations, apart from its other significances, also stand for harvest celebrations. In villages across the country, Diwali is the time where farmers offer praise to God for granting them a good crop.
In the morning, colored Rangoli or Kolam designs, symbolizing the footsteps of Goddess Lakshmi, are drawn at doorsteps and all over the house to usher in wealth, good fortune and prosperity.
Idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped in most Hindu homes on this day. At dusk, the main celebrations begin. The small earthen lamps and candles are arranged in rows, creating a most beautiful view and symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
People wear new clothes, burst firecrackers and light sparklers, visit relatives and friends and exchange gifts.
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JAINISM

Diwali has a very special significance in Jainism.
Jains celebrate Diwali during the month of Kartik for three days and worship Lord Mahavira, who attained Nirvana on this day. Mahavira is responsible for establishing the Dharma (teachings and doctrines of the founders of Jainism) followed by Jains even today.
According to tradition, the chief disciple of Mahavira, Ganadhara Gautam Swami also attained complete knowledge (Kevalgyana) on this day, thus making Diwali one of the most important Jain festivals.
During the period of Diwali, devoted Jains observe fasting, meditation and chant a special Sutra to worship Lord Mahavira. Some Jains visit Pavapuri in Bihar where Mahavira attained Nirvana.
In many temples special laddus (sweets) are offered particularly on this day.
The Jain business people traditionally start their accounting year after Diwali.

SIKKHISM

Indian Sikh devotees gather in front of the illuminated Golden Temple in Amnitsar, 01 Nov. 2005, during the celebrations of Diwali (AFP photo/Narinder Nanu)

For Sikhs, Diwali is particularly important because it celebrates the release from prison of the sixth Guru Hargobind Ji (hence also called “Bandi Chorr Devas”), along with 52 other Hindu Kings (political prisoners) from the Gwalior Fort in 1619.
The Sikhs celebrated the return of Guru Har Gobind by lighting the Golden Temple and this tradition continues until today.

Diwali at the Golden Temple of Amritsar:

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TIHAR in NEPAL

In Nepal, Diwali is known as Tihar or Swanti. It is celebrated during the October/November period. Here the festival is celebrated for five days and the traditions vary from those followed in India. On the first day (Kaag tihar), crows are given offerings, considering them to be divine messengers.

On the second day (Kukur tihar), dogs are worshipped for their honesty and as guardians of the house and the gate to the underworld as well.
On the third day, Laxmi puja and worship of cow, the national animal of Nepal, is performed. This is the last day according to Nepal Sambat, so many of the businessmen clear their accounts on this day and on finishing it, worship goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth.
The fourth day is celebrated as new year. Cultural processions and other celebrations are observed on this day. The Newars celebrate it as Mha Puja, a special ritual in which the body is worshipped to keep it fit and healthy for the year ahead on this day. On the fifth and final day called Bhai Tika, brothers and sisters meet and exchange gifts. In Nepal, family gathering is more significant during Diwali.

A Nepali Tihar Song – “Bhailini Geet”:

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Celebrations in other parts of the world

With more and more Indians now migrating to various parts of the world, the number of countries where Diwali / Deepavali is celebrated has been gradually increasing. While in some countries it is celebrated mainly by Indian expatriates, in others it has become part of the general local culture.

Diwali abroad – Celebrations at the Office:

Trinidad and Tobago
In Trinidad and Tobago, communities all over the islands get together and celebrate the festival. One major celebration that stands out is the Diwali Nagar, or Village of the Festival of Lights. It features stage performances by the east Indian cultural practitioners, a folk theatre featuring skits and plays, an exhibition on some aspect of Hinduism, displays by various Hindu religious sects and social organizations, nightly worship of Goddess Lakshmi, lighting of deeyas, performances by various schools related to Indian culture, and a food court with Indian and non-Indian vegetarian delicacies. The festival culminates with magnificent fireworks displays ushering in Diwali. Thousands of people participate in an atmosphere devoid of alcohol and in a true family environment.

Malaysia
In Malaysia, Diwali is known as “Hari Deepavali,” and is celebrated during the seventh month of the Hindu solar calendar. It is a federal public holiday throughout Malaysia. In many respects it resembles the traditions followed in the Indian subcontinent. ‘Open houses’ are held where Hindu Malaysians (Malaysian Tamils) welcome fellow Malaysians of different races and religions to their house for a scrumptious meal. This is a practice unique to Malaysia and shows the goodwill and friendly ties practised by all Malaysians during any festive occasion.

Singapore
In Singapore, the festival is called “Deepavali”, and is a gazetted public holiday. Observed primarily by the minority Indian community (Tamils) , it is typically marked by a light-up in the Little India district, the heart of the Indian community. Apart from the light-up, other activities such as bazaars, exhibitions, parades and concerts will also take place in Little India. The Hindu Endowment Board of Singapore along with Singapores’ government organizes many of these cultural events during the Deepavali period.

Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, this festival is also called “Deepavali” and is celebrated by the Tamil community. On this day, it is traditional for people to wear new clothes and exchange gifts.

United Kingdom
In Britain, Hindus and Sikhs celebrate Diwali with great enthusiasm and in most ways very similarly to as in India. It is a greatly celebrated holiday and is a great way to connect with the culture and heritage of India.

Diwali is becoming a well known festival in Britain and non-Indians also join in the festivities. Leicester plays hosts to some of the biggest celebrations outside of India.

New Zealand
In New Zealand, Diwali is celebrated publicly among many of the South Asian diaspora cultural groups. There are main public festivals in Auckland and Wellington, with other events around the country becoming more popular and visible. An official reception has been held at the New Zealand Parliament since 2003.

Australia
In Australia, Diwali is celebrated publicly among the people of Indian origin and the local Australians in Melbourne. On 21 July 2002 an organisation “The Australian Indian Innovations Incorporated”(AIII) comprising of a conglomerate of independent organisations and individuals was formed to celebrate Indian Festivals In Melbourne. AIII facilitated opportunities to depict the cultural kaleidoscope of India and assist Indians in Melbourne to showcase Indian art, culture, style, traditions and food via various activities, seminars, festivals, fairs and events. The first Inaugural Diwali Festival-2002”, was held at Sandown Race Course on Sunday 13 October 2002. Since then until October 2008, about 140000 people visited this Australian Indian Cultural Extravaganza filled with culture, fun and cuisine. This 10 Hour Festival is depicting India through 50 Stalls, 10 Food stalls and an 8 hour cultural programme with Dj, Children’s rides and spectacular fire works over the last 7 years.

The United States
In the United States, with increasing Indian population, Diwali is assuming significant importance year after year. Diwali was first celebrated in the White House in 2003 and was given official status by the United States Congress in 2007. Barack Obama became the first president to personally attend Diwali at the White House in 2009. Indians in the US celebrate Diwali in different parts of the US, just as in India. The Diwali Mela in Cowboys Stadium boasted an attendance of 100,000 people in 2009. In 2009, San Antonio became the first U.S. city to sponsor an official Diwali celebration including a fireworks display and 5000 people in attendance.

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DIWALI and BOLLYWOOD

Diwali also is the season when most producers in India prefer to release their movies. Diwali release is a big event in film circles as the movies released during this season are often the ones to bag high profits each year:

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DIWALI GREETINGS:

in Hindi: – Deepavali ki Shubkamnayein
in Tamil: – Deepavali Nalvaazhtukkal
in Kannada: – Deepavali Habbada Shubhakankshalu
in Telugu: – Deepavali Shubhakankshalu
in Marathi: – Shubh Deepavali / Diwalichya Shubhechha
in Malayalam: – Deepavali Aashamsagal
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„Jai Laksmi“ – A traditional Diwali song:

“Aayi Diwali, Aayi Diwali” – sung by Zohra Bai
from the movie “Ratan” (1944):

“Ram Ka Gungan Kariye” – a Ram Bhajan (Lord Rama devotional song)
- sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Pt. Bhimsen Joshi:

Diwali Song from the Hindi film „Aamdani Atthanni Karcha Rupaiya”
(with: Ishaa Koppikar, Johnny Lever, Tabu, Govinda and Juhi Chawla):

“Kabhi Kabhi” – Instrumental
“Jai Lakshmi Mata” – Aarti Song
“Gayatri Mantra” – (27 Repetitions)
“Aayi Diwali, Aayi Diwali” – (from the movie “Ratan”)
“Tumhi Ho Mata Pita Tumhi Ho Tumhi Ho Bandhu” – a Prayer

Aarti also spelled arathi, aarthi (from the Sanskrit term Aaraatrik) is a Hindu religious ritual of worship, a form of puja (a religious ritual), in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more deities. Aartis also refer to the songs sung in praise of the deity, when offering of lamps is being offered.
Hinduism has a long tradition of aarti songs, simply referred to as ‘Aarti’, sung as an accompaniment to the ritual of aarti. It primarily eulogizes to the deity the ritual is being offered to, and several sects have their own version of the common aarti songs that are often sung on chorus at various temples, during evening and morning aartis.
The most commonly sung aarti dedicated to all deities is “Om Jai Jagdish Hare”,
known as “The Universal Aarti”.

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HAPPY DIWALI to India
and to each place in the world where it is celebrated!

Best wishes,

Angela Nilsson
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Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali
http://hinduism.about.com/od/diwalifestivaloflights/a/diwali.htm
http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Culture/Festivals/Diwali.html
http://www.ruchiskitchen.com/festivals/deepceleb.htm
http://www.theholidayspot.com/diwali/diwali_around_india.htm
http://www.nepalhomepage.com/society/festivals/tihar.html

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