1. Tamaso Mā Jyotirgamaya
Deepāvali
Tamaso Mā Jyotirgamaya
Explain “Tamaso Maa ..”, lead us from darkness to light!!!

2. Deepāvali Also known as Diwāli Literal meaning, a row of lamps
One of the biggest festival of Hindus
Celebrated all over India
In Kenya, Thailand, Trinidad and in many more countries
PM of UK, In White House. Malaysia, Siam, Australia’s state recognized fest., etc

3. The festival of Lights Celebrated for 5 days
Customs vary but lighting lamps is common
Fireworks, Rangoli, Lamps
Lights, Sparkles, Glitters!

4. Dhana-trayodashi Dhanteras, Yama Deepdān 13th day of Kārtika month
Houses, business premises decorated
Auspicious to buy gold, silver, new utensils
Lamps lit and kept burning all night
Cattles adorned and worshipped in villages
1st day Other names, falls on which day, what do people do?

5. Dhana-trayodashi - Stories
Son of King Hima, as per horoscope, was doomed to die on this night
His wife did not allow him to sleep
She kept all ornaments, gold, silver at the entrance of the room
Yama, God of death, gets blinded by the dazzle of brilliant lights and leaves
Hence, the tradition of buying gold and the name Yama Deepdān
Stories related to this day.

6. Narak-chaturdashi Chhoti Diwāli, or little Diwāli
Falls on 14th day of Kārtika month
Tradition is to get very early and have an oil bath before the sunrise
Earthen lamps are lit
2nd day Other names, falls on which day, what do people do?

7. Narak-chaturdashi - Stories
Narakāsur, the demon king of Prāgjyotishpur, was killed by Lord Krishna
After defeating the demon, Krishna returned early in the morning and had scented oil bath
Elaborate stories!!!
King Bali was pushed to pātāl, or nether regions, by Vāmanāvatār

8. Lakshmi Pujā Diwāli, Kaumudi Mahotsam Amāvasyā, or no moon night
Day of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth
Millions of lamps lit
Amāvasyā becomes brighter than Poornimā, or full moon night
3rd day Other names, what do people do?

9. Lakshmi Pujā - Stories Lot of stories associated with this day
Lord Rāma return to Ayodhyā after defeating Rāvana
Lord Krishna delivers knowledge of Gitā to Arjuna
Lord Krishna also attains “nirvāna” this day
Nachiketa attains knowledge from Yama and returns back to earth
Elaborate stories depending on audience and time

10. Bali Padya Pādwa, Varsha Pratipadā, Govardhan Pujā, Annakoot
In northern part of India, the hill of Govardhan is worshipped
Annakoot, meaning “mountain of food”, is observed for all deities
Variety of sweets are made and shared among all
4th day Other names, what do people do?

11. Bali Padya - Stories
Vikramāditya the great, held his coronation and started a hindu calendar, vikram samvat
Lord Krishna, uprooted Govardhan hill and held it up to save residents of Gokul from rains
Stories related to this day
Bali came back from pātāl and given boon to return from nether regions once a year

12. Bhāi Dooj Bhāv Beej, Bhāi Tika, Yama Dwiteeyā
Sisters put tilak on forehead of brothers and wish for their success
Originates from the legend that Yama went to see his sister Yami on this day
Yama announced that anyone who receives tilak from his sister this day, will never suffer
5th day Other names, what do people do, legend

13. More on Diwāli
Sikh also celebrate Diwāli to commemorate return of 6th Guru, Guru Hargobind from captivity
Lord Mahāvir, who established Jainism, obtained nirvāna on this day
Add if know more!!!

14. Significance of Diwāli
Celebration of rise of knowledge
Celebration of victory of dharma
Occasion for self-enlightment
Prosperity, peace, and progress for all
If adults in audience, go deeper!!!

15. Iti!