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Diwali Night
Sketchbook has
received a diwali night greeting from Kala Ramesh in
India. See the greeting above. This annual celebration takes
place on November 9th in 2007.
Divali, or Deepavali (in Hindi - दिवाली or दीपावली), is a major
Indian festival, significant in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism.
Celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe, as the
"Festival of Light," where the lights or lamps signify the
uplighting of darkness and victory of good over the evil within.
The day also commemorated the homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya,
after a 14-year exile in the forest[1], and thus the people of
Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed him back by
lighting up rows of lamps (deepa-wali), thus its name, Deepawali,
or simply shortened as Divali.
The celebrations focus on lights and lamps, particularly
traditional dīpa or deeya (earthen lamp), and fireworks. Though
colloquially called Divali in North India, in South India it is
called Deepavali.
Divali is celebrated for five consecutive days at the end of
Hindu month of Ashwayuja (amanta). It usually occurs in
October/November, and is one of the most popular and eagerly
awaited festivals in India. Divali comes exactly twenty days
after Dussehra. Hindus, Jains and Sikhs alike regard it as a
celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family
and social relationships. For Hindus it is one of the most
important festivals, and beginning of the year in some Hindu
calendars, especially in North India.
Source:
Wikipedia
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