Festival of Lights

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Diwali 2017

According to National Geographic Kids, Diwali, or Dipawali, is India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year.   The festival gets its name from the row of clay lamps that the people of India light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness.   This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians. This holiday is also celebrated in India’s non-Hindu communities.   Diwali is celebrated in October or November each year and lasts for 5 days.   This year, 2017, Diwali begins today, Thursday, October 19, 2017.  Diwali is sometimes called the Festival of Lights.

Diwali

Diwali

There are certain variations of Diwali in different parts of India, but in all interpretations, one common thread rings true.   The festival marks the victory of good over evil.   We, the Colorado Traveling Ducks, and their humans, wish you all a very Happy Diwali.

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Diwali

Zeb the Duck here and want you to know that today, October 23, 2014 is the first day of Diwali.   I just learned this. Diwali is the Festival of Light!  Diwali, or Deepavali, is a religious holiday observed by Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain cultures.  It is a celebration of the victory of good over evil the triumph of light over darkness and the renewal of life.

To celebrate the five days of Diwali, people decorate their homes with lights, watch fireworks, wear new clothes and distribute gifs to friends and family members.  It is also a time for prayer and religious rituals.  Often the decorating lights are small oil lamps called diyas.

We learned this at www.punchbowl.com/holidays/diwali   Thanks to punchbowl for teaching us about new holidays.