Diwali is a festival of great importance in India. It could be compared to Christmas in the western world; and like Christmas it holds religious, cultural and social importance. In a general sense Diwali is a celebration of good over evil and light over darkness. Also, Diwali is a celebration to give thanks for an abundant autumn harvest and the gracious nature of various gods and goddesses. It started in the North Indian kingdom of Avadha to celebrate the last day of Lord Rama's long exile of fourteen years. As the citizens of Ayodhya eagerly awaited their beloved prince's return, they lit thousands of lamps to guide his flying vimana to their city. The tradition of lighting lamps continues and nearly every resident of our hillside town have beautiful clay oil lamps lit in front of their homes and businesses. It gives the town a beautiful warm glow.
Diwali also celebrates the gracious nature of the three goddesses, Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati. Dhanteras (two days before Diwali) is dedicated to Lakshmi, whose blessings are essential for a prosperous, fruitful and peaceful life. Kali-Chudash (the day before Diwali) is dedicated to Maha Kali whose strength we seek to maintain the wealth we have. Strength, physical, mental and spiritual, is essential for all of us to lead a happy life. Diwali itself is dedicated to goddess Saraswati. Knowledge is the ultimate wealth, for it cannot be stolen from you; it is also the ultimate strength, for it often defeats brute force.
My boys back home are going to love this! Diwali is also a festival of gambling. On Diwali many men gamble. The reasons for this are as important religiously as they are socially. It is said that in playing cards, the goddess of wealth smiles upon the player and ensures her goodwill. A popular saying states that one who does not gamble on this day will be reborn as a donkey in his next birth. Sounds like a good enough reason to me to play a little hold em'.
We went out for the smaller of the Diwali celebrations last night and the town was hopping. Some fireworks, but it was just a warm up for tonight. They say the fireworks display that can be witnessed on the larger of the Diwali celebrations rivals anything you see in the states. Our vantage point on top of the hillside gives us a view of many kilometers around, I look forward to the show. I bought a few fireworks myself, my favorite are those snapper things you throw on the ground and they make a little bang. Except they are not those little wimpy ones like back home. You can buy them here as large as a golf ball. They make a HUGE bang, but they also make you a bit nervous carrying them around in your hand.
No grand festival is complete without fireworks and some drunken debauchery, I expect nothing less from tonight's festivities. Tonight is the big night, we're going into town to check it out till about 8ish then going up to a big party in Sister’s Bazaar, should be fun. Full report with pictures by the end of the weekend.
Diwali also celebrates the gracious nature of the three goddesses, Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati. Dhanteras (two days before Diwali) is dedicated to Lakshmi, whose blessings are essential for a prosperous, fruitful and peaceful life. Kali-Chudash (the day before Diwali) is dedicated to Maha Kali whose strength we seek to maintain the wealth we have. Strength, physical, mental and spiritual, is essential for all of us to lead a happy life. Diwali itself is dedicated to goddess Saraswati. Knowledge is the ultimate wealth, for it cannot be stolen from you; it is also the ultimate strength, for it often defeats brute force.
My boys back home are going to love this! Diwali is also a festival of gambling. On Diwali many men gamble. The reasons for this are as important religiously as they are socially. It is said that in playing cards, the goddess of wealth smiles upon the player and ensures her goodwill. A popular saying states that one who does not gamble on this day will be reborn as a donkey in his next birth. Sounds like a good enough reason to me to play a little hold em'.
We went out for the smaller of the Diwali celebrations last night and the town was hopping. Some fireworks, but it was just a warm up for tonight. They say the fireworks display that can be witnessed on the larger of the Diwali celebrations rivals anything you see in the states. Our vantage point on top of the hillside gives us a view of many kilometers around, I look forward to the show. I bought a few fireworks myself, my favorite are those snapper things you throw on the ground and they make a little bang. Except they are not those little wimpy ones like back home. You can buy them here as large as a golf ball. They make a HUGE bang, but they also make you a bit nervous carrying them around in your hand.
No grand festival is complete without fireworks and some drunken debauchery, I expect nothing less from tonight's festivities. Tonight is the big night, we're going into town to check it out till about 8ish then going up to a big party in Sister’s Bazaar, should be fun. Full report with pictures by the end of the weekend.
Part Two-
Not much new to report. I went into town a tad late and most people were at home with their families doing the Puja. So I decided to go see the fireworks show that the senoirs were doing at the dorms. All I have to say is that I am glad I had my riding goggles. It was the craziest redneck fireworks display I have ever seen. It was mayhem, we are lucky that no one got their eyes put out. There was rockets shooting into the crowd, multi-shot mortar round boxes falling over on their sides and shooting into the crowd. All this and no one was wearing saftey goggles. They had 20,000 rupees worth of fireworks, over $500. You can imagine how many fireworks that will buy in India. Boxes upon boxes.
Also, I forgot to bring my camera. So no pictures. I know blog posts are boring without pictures. I will do better next time.
3 comments:
Keep the posts coming...I get to learn Hindu history via your posts. Hope all is well.
Ahh no wonder I recognized the background Diwali is called Deepavali here in Singapore.
Too bad on the camera, close up video of amateur fireworks is always fun.
Happy Diwali Chris!
(do they use the 'happy' part there?)
The fireworks reminded me of our bottle rocket wars at the Ocoee on the 4th of July. Throw in a massive bonfire and large quantities of intoxicants...well you get the idea. Many burns and deaf people for days after those parties.
Glad to hear you are having fun! Happy Thanksgiving!
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