Question from a Member: What is Diwali?

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone:

 

In response to our splash-page update, I received the below comment

from a member. I attach my (very sketchy and broad) response, and I

hope some of you will correct and add information as necessary.

Thanks for your input! Here's the comment:

 

*** I'm barely aware of what Diwali is about. Lots of room for

learning. ***

 

[And here's my reply:]

 

For Shaktas, it's mainly a big Lakshmi Puja. Other sects have

different emphasis, but Lakshmi is always in the mix somewhere.

Celebrated on the darkest (New Moon) night of the holy month of

Kartik, Diwali is at bottom an ancient end-of-harvest festival --

similar in a way to the old-style Halloween (with its emphasis on

light and celebration to overcome darkness and fear), but with much

more of the flavor and feeling of a Christmas or New Year's Eve

celebration.

 

Good article at Wikipedia:

 

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali>

 

Another good one at BBC:

 

<http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/diwali.sht

ml>

 

An essay on Kartik:

 

<http://www.bawarchi.com/festivals/kartik.html>.

 

All in all, it's really a beautiful holiday. Hope you enjoy it in

whatever fashion you like best, together with those you love and who

love you most.

 

Best regards

 

~ aim mAtangyai namaH ~