Deepawali

[Guest guest]

I was wondering when Deepawali is here in the US on the West Coast. I also had

another question. Isn't Lakshmi usually associated with the Full Moon? Why is

Deepawali on a New Moon?

 

Thanks,

Shankari

[Guest guest]

, Shankari Kali

<shankari_kali wrote:

>

> I was wondering when Deepawali is here in the US on the West Coast. I

also had another question. Isn't Lakshmi usually associated with the

Full Moon? Why is Deepawali on a New Moon?

>

> Thanks,

> Shankari

>

 

 

I strongly believe Ms Shankari Kali you do know the answer to this one.

But again I may be wrong.... you dont know. But I do know you'r

computer savy and have been surving the web and read from other

sources. So why dont you tell us what you know... and we fill in the

gap for you. How abt that?

[Guest guest]

Namaste Nora:

 

I don't have the panchang for the West Coast of the US. I know the new moon is

on th 28th,  but the panchang for this part of the country may be different. (My

favorite panchang site has become difficult to navigate.)

 

Why is the celebration for Lakshmi on a New Moon. I always associated the New

Moon with Mahakali.

 

Shanti Om,

Shankari

 

, Shankari Kali

 

<shankari_kali@ ...> wrote:

 

>

 

> I was wondering when Deepawali is here in the US on the West Coast. I

 

also had another question. Isn't Lakshmi usually associated with the

 

Full Moon? Why is Deepawali on a New Moon?

 

> Thanks,

 

> Shankari

 

--- On Mon, 10/20/08, NMadasamy <nora wrote:

NMadasamy <nora

 

 

I strongly believe Ms Shankari Kali you do know the answer to this one.

 

But again I may be wrong.... you dont know. But I do know you'r

 

computer savy and have been surving the web and read from other

 

sources. So why dont you tell us what you know... and we fill in the

 

gap for you. How abt that?

[Guest guest]

, Shankari Kali

<shankari_kali wrote:

>

> Why is the celebration for Lakshmi on a New Moon. I always

associated the New Moon with Mahakali.

>

> Shanti Om,

> Shankari

>

I googled a bit, and found the following simple explanation

of Diwali, directed at children. I think you'll find the

last paragraph particularly relevant to your question.

 

As far as 'Why is Deepavali celebrated on the New Moon?' --

maybe it makes some sense to hold a festival of lights on

a night that's dark.

 

-----------

[....]

Diwali follows Dashera. It is a spectacular religious festival

held in late autumn. The celebration takes place on the

darkest night of autumn, the new moon day (Amabashya), at

the beginning of Kartika (October-November), eighteen

days after the celebration of Dashera. Diwali means cluster

of lights. On the Diwali day, rows of lamps decorate the

houses and presents are exchanged.

 

Diwali, in the north of India, is associated with the

coronation of Rama when he returned to Ayodhya (in Uttar

Pradesh) after vanquishing the demon Ravana on the day of

Dashera. Ram had been in exile for fourteen years and his

followers were pleased to see his return to Ayodhya. They

welcomed him by decorating their houses with lamps and

rejoiced with the display of fireworks at night.

 

Diwali is seen as a renewal of life. Houses are painted and

new purchases are made at this time. In Maharasthra, Diwali

is seen as a festival for warding off king Bali, the ruler of

the underworld. In the western part of India, many Hindus

believe that the souls of their ancestors come to visit their

homes during the new moon day of Diwali. Lamps are lit to

guide the way of the departed souls.

 

In Gujrat, Diwali is associated mostly with the worship of

Luxmi, the goddess of wealth. It is believed Luxmi on this

day emerges to bring prosperity to the world. Luxmi puja in

Gujrat lasts for five days which starts with Dhanterash, the

worshipping of wealth. The fourth day is Gujratis New

Years Day. Luxmi is believed to visit the homes that are

well lit. So, families decorate their houses with light,

flowers and paper chains. It is believed that lighting the new

lamps will drive away evil and poverty from the world and

heralds better times.

 

In the eastern part of India, especially in West Bengal,

Luxmi puja is celebrated five days after Dashera, on the full

moon day (Purnima). On the following new moon day

(Amabashya), coinciding with Diwali, goddess Kali is

worshipped. Kali has a terrifying look. She destroys all

evils. Lamps are lit in her honor, and in return, she promises

a renewal of life and justice on earth.

 

 

INDO-link

Kids Korner

http://www.indolink.com/kidz/dashera.html

 

Narrated by: Kanai L Mukherjee (Grandpa),

Edited by: Anuradha Chakravarthy

Courtesy: Association of Grandparents of Indian

Immigrants (AGII)

[Guest guest]

Sometimes when we explain things to children, we make things much clearer. Thank

you for your post. I found this very interesting. For one I did not know that it

also has to do with the ancestors as well.

 

All the more reason to put lots of lights out this year. Not to mention, it's

also Halloween over here which also has to do with the ancestors. Happy

Deepawali!

 

Shanti Om,

Shankari

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

What better time to affirm Light then on the darkest of nights?

 

 

, Shankari Kali

<shankari_kali wrote:

>

> I was wondering when Deepawali is here in the US on the West Coast.

I also had another question. Isn't Lakshmi usually associated with the

Full Moon? Why is Deepawali on a New Moon?

>

> Thanks,

> Shankari

>