An Inside Look at the Diwali Festival

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Diwali is one of the largest festivals found within Hindu tradition. Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists also celebrate this festival (Dilwali). It is a festival of happiness celebrated by Hindus all around the world. It is five continuous days, each day having an ideal or thought and being based on a legend. The legends differ based on what part of the world Diwali is being celebrated in (Festival). It is the harmony between these five ideas that makes Diwali such a special festival for Hindus (Diwali: Festival). New clothes are worn, gifts are exchanged, and sweets are baked (Festival). Diwali translates into “row of lamps” and involves the lighting of small oil lamps, which signifies the victory of good over evil. Diwali is the Festival of Lights. It is known as the Festival of Lights because of the many lamps that are lit throughout its entirety (Festival).
Diwali is usually celebrated in October or November. It began as a harvest festival, thanking God for the crops they were given, and marking the last harvest before winter. In India, the blessing of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is sought for agriculture. Hindus would pray for the success at the beginning of a new fiscal year. The day after the ending of Diwali marks the beginning of the new fiscal year. Today, this is performed by Hindus and the residents on India (Diwali—National).
The first day is Dhanteras and marks the beginning of Diwali. The root word, ‘Dhan,’ means wealth. Hindus worship the goddess Lakshmi this day for prosperity. Because of this, this day has become very significant for Hindu businesses. Houses and business are decorated to welcome Lakshmi. Using rice flour, small foot prints are drawn around the homes to exemplify her long antici...

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...ithin Christmas. From the star that guided the shepherds to the manger to the lights hung on homes throughout the season, light is everywhere. Being in darkness has been associated with ignorance and fear, while being full of lights has been associated with understanding the true meaning of life. At this time, Christians are called to live in God’s light and spread his light and message to others (Festivals).

Works Cited
"Diwali Festival." Diwali Festival. Souledout, 2014. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.
"Diwali: Festival of Lights." Diwali Festival. Society for the Conference of Festivals in India,
2014. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.
"Diwali -- National Geographic Kids." National Geographic. National Geographic, 2014. Web.
01 May 2014.
"Festival of Lights." BBC News. BBC, 2014. Web. 01 May 2014.
"Festivals Of Light." Festivals of Lights. SouledOut, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 1 May 2014.

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