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Aruna Velury: Diwali a well-known celebration for Hindus
Diwali is one of the most popular festival that is celebrated in the Hindu religion. The name of the festival comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, meaning row of lights, therefore, we call it the Festival of lights. This festival of Diwali extends over five days, and it celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. The date of diwali is set by the Hindu calendar and it varies in the Western calendar. It usually falls between October or November.
Diwali is a New Year festival in the Vikrama calendar, where it falls on the night of the new moon in the month of Kartika. Usually in India, Diwali is a big celebration like Christmas here. During the Diwali time, everyone's houses, shops and public places are lit up with oil lamps called diyas and people celebrate by doing fireworks and exchanging gifts and sweets with family members and friends. People draw Ranogli designs on the floor with lots of different colors. Rangoli are patterns that look like a drawing of a lotus flower and full of color. Diwali is also the time to be very giving. Generally, people donate money and clothes to the poor.
The religious aspects of things, Diwali celebrates the homecoming of King Rama. Hindu religion follows Ramayana and it is like the Bible for Hindus. According Ramayana, Diwali commemorates the return of Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and eldest son of King Dasharath of Ayodhya, from his 14-year exile with Sita and Lakshman after killing the Ravana, a demon king. The people of Ayodhya illuminated the kingdom with earthen diya (oil lamps) and fireworks to celebrate the return of their king. People pray to two goddesses, Lakshmi and Kali. People start the new business year at diwali, and they pray to Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity. People in the Bengal and Orissa regions pray to Goddess Kali.
In summary, Diwali or the Festival of Lights is celebrated by all Hindus to commence the new year with reaffirmation of hope and renewed commitment to friendship and goodwill and enjoying the simple joys of life and giving generously to the poor. This is one of the favorite festivals in all parts of India and celebrated by all very joyously.
Aruna Velury is president of the Tri-State India Association.
WHAT: Diwali program or Festival of Lights
WHO: Tri-State India Association sponsors the event
WHEN: The program begins promptly at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Puja starts the program and dinner is served at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Huntington High School, located at 1 Highlander Way
TICKETS: Tickets are required and can be purchased in advance for $15 per person or at the door for $18. Tickets for college students are $8, and $5 for children 5 and older and free to children under 5.
INFORMATION: Call Aruna Velury at 606-922-0005 or e-mail to arunavelury@hotmail.com or call Parveen Nagra at 606-329-0425 or e-mail to pknagra@gmail.com.
