Happy Diwali!

Diwali (Deepavali) Means “row of lights” or festival of lights Starts on darkest night of the new moon at the end of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin In the autumn 2018: Wednesday, November 7 2019: Sunday, October 27 2020: Saturday, November 14 2021: Thursday, November 4 2022: Monday, October 24 Five day festival Community Oriented: giving/sharing Biggest national holiday in India, regardless of religion

Significance For Hindus Common thread: victory of good over evil. Northern India: celebrate the story of King Rama's return to Ayodhya after he defeated Ravana Southern India: celebrates when Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. Western India: marks the day that Lord Vishnu sent the demon King Bali to rule the under world. Common thread: victory of good over evil. Worship of Lakshmi

Significance For Non-Hindus Jainism: the nirvana of Lord Mahavira on October 15, 527 B.C. Sikhism: it marks the day that Guru Hargobind Ji was freed from imprisonment. Buddhists: the day Emperor Ashoka of India converted to Buddhism

The Five days Day One: people consider it lucky to clean and decorate their home and shop for gold or kitchen utensils. Day Two: people decorate their homes with clay lamps (diya) and create design patterns called rangoli on the floor using colored powders or sand. Day Three: the main day of the festival when families gather together for Lakshmi puja, a prayer to Goddess Lakshmi followed feasts and firework festivities. Day Four: the first day of the new year when friends and relatives visit with gifts and best wishes for the season. Day Five: celebrates siblings, brothers visit their married sisters who welcome them with love and a lavish meal.

Lakshmi Puja