Diwali–The Hindu Festival of Lights–November 4, 2021
Diwali, or Dipawali, is India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. That is why it is also known as the festival of lights.
The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians.
Diwali festivities, according to the Hindu calendar, begin from the 28th day of Ashwin, that is, Krishna Paksha Trayodashi. It goes on till the Shukla Paksha Dwitiya of the Kartik month.
The Diwali festivals include Dhantrayodashi, Narak Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali), Lakshmi Puja (Diwali), Govardhan Puja, and Bhaiyya Dooj.
Laxmi Puja is considered the most significant day of all.
The attached link is provided by National Geographic Kids. You can show it to your children so they can see the many different ways light is used to celebrate Diwali.
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/pages/article/diwali.
There are many globally celebrated “Festivals of Lights.” At the Y, we celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights, called “Hanukkah.” The link below connects to an article of other Festivals of Lights around the world.
https://www.scoopwhoop.com/festivals-of-light-around-the-world/
