Diwali is the most well-known Hindu festival. It is colloquially known as the "Festival Of Lights". The festival's name is derived from a Sanskrit word, Deepavali. ``Deepa'' means light and ``Avali'' means a row: a row of lights. It is celebrated throughout India, as well as in Indian communities throughout the diaspora. It usually takes place eighteen days after Dusshera.
It always falls in the Hindu month of Kartik, in October or November, and starts on the day of the new moon. The symbol of Diwali is small clay lamps called diyas. Diyas, traditionally filled with oil but now more often a tea light candle, are lit at home and at Hindu temples.
Amid the dark skies of autumn, lights illumine homes throughout India and its Diaspora, while families celebrate with visits, Diwali gifts, Diwali Ecards, Diwali Greeting and Diwali feasts. The five day long festival starts in the 14th day of the dark half of the Hindu calendar month of Aswina. (Every Hindu month is divided into a light half generally fortnight long, when the moon waxes, and a dark half, when it wanes.) By the Gregorian calendar, Diwali generally falls in October or November. In 2008, Diwali begins on October 28. |
