Hindus Set To Celebrate Divali

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ORLANDO, FL, Fri. Oct. 8: Hindus around the world will celebrate

Divali this month and Central Florida will have its celebration of

this festival on Saturday, October 30, at the Disney Amphitheater at

Lake Eola, starting at 3 p.m.

 

A highlight of the celebration will be a Miss Divali pageant.

 

Divali (Diwali or Deepavali) is the grand festival of lights that

signifies the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, justice

over injustice, and knowledge over ignorance. It is the season when

devout Hindus thoroughly cleanse their homes, buy new wares and

clothes and prepare themselves for the worship of the great Goddess,

Maha (Mother) Lakshmi - the bestower of health, wealth, wisdom, peace

and prosperity. Maha Lakshmi is also considered the Goddess of light.

Hence the lighting of lamps signifies the pomp and fanfare attributed

to her for her boons.

 

Divali marks the culmination of weeks of fasting and both inner and

outer personal cleansing. The festival takes place on the new moon of

Kartik (holy month) of the dark fortnight - Divali is the darkest

night of the year.

 

The symbolism of light is essential to this festival. It is

understood that without light there can be no life. Light is

responsible for the development of all that is living. Light is

associated with heat, the sun and the divine. It is also stated that

during this day Mother Lakshmi resides in the flame of the diya

making the purpose of lighting the deyas (clay lamps) even more

significant.

 

Historical importance pervades the festivity of Divali. The Hindu

Diaspora celebrates in the form of lit Deyas signifying the return of

Lord Rama after fourteen years of exile in the forest and the

appearance of Mother Lakshmi. Divali and the significance of the lit

diyas go a step further. Divali observes the importance of light and

the acceptance of the Divine. Divali therefore is the spiritual

upliftment of all mankind, irrespective of race, religion,

nationality, custom, age or sex.

 

Source: The Caribbean Sun News

URL: http://www.hardbeatnews.com/details2259.htm