The story of Diwali / Deepavali.
When is Diwali 2017 and
why is it celebrated? What
you need to know
Celebrations and holidays are coming thick and fast at this time of year,
with Coventry set to celebrate Diwali in style just days before Halloween
and Bonfire Night.
with Coventry set to celebrate Diwali in style just days before Halloween
and Bonfire Night.
A five-day Hindu festival of lights, Diwali is held in Autumn between October
and November and marks the beginning of the financial year in India.
and November and marks the beginning of the financial year in India.
It is commonly associated with Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and
prosperity.
prosperity.
Below is everything you need to know about the celebration, including when
it is and how it is typically celebrated...
it is and how it is typically celebrated...
What is Diwali?
Diwali is the five day Festival of Lights and is traditionally celebrated by
Hindus, Sikhs and Jains and is one of the most significant festivals in the
Indian culture.
Hindus, Sikhs and Jains and is one of the most significant festivals in the
Indian culture.
The word Diwali means rows of lighted lamps and it is known as the Festival
of Lights because houses and shops are decorated with candles and
colourful lights.
of Lights because houses and shops are decorated with candles and
colourful lights.
This shows the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
For many Indians, Diwali honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and
people will start the new business year at Diwali and some will say prayers
to the goddess for a prosperous year ahead.
people will start the new business year at Diwali and some will say prayers
to the goddess for a prosperous year ahead.
When is Diwali?
The date of Diwali changes each year as the day it is celebrated is
calculated according to the position of the moon and the Hindu lunar
calendar.
calculated according to the position of the moon and the Hindu lunar
calendar.
For 2017, the date of the main night of Diwali will be Thursday,
October 19.
October 19.
The celebrations often begin two days before and carry on two days
afterwards.
afterwards.
How is Diwali celebrated?
Large firework displays are held which celebrate one of the Diwali legends,
Rama and his wife Sita.
Rama and his wife Sita.
The fireworks signify Rama’s return to his kingdom after being exiled for
14 years and defeating king Ravana, when the local people set off their
own version of fireworks.
14 years and defeating king Ravana, when the local people set off their
own version of fireworks.
Those celebrating Diwali also light traditional earthenware oil lamps called
diyas which are said to help Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, find her way
into people’s homes, and they’ll leave their windows and doors of their
houses open so that she can enter.
diyas which are said to help Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, find her way
into people’s homes, and they’ll leave their windows and doors of their
houses open so that she can enter.
No comments:
Post a Comment