Calendrical Rituals: Divali

"THE HINDU festival of Diwali is about lighting a diya (lamp) within us. "If we each become that diya we can spread a light that brightens up the lives of others, and that is the true meaning of Diwali to me," said Mala Ramballi."

"About 900 million people around the world practice the family of religious traditions known as Hinduism. In this programme, students learn about the history of the Hindu faith with its roots in the ancient Indus River Valley civilisation."

"One of the world's major religions, Hinduism is an ancient faith with deep roots in India and nearby areas. Modern Hinduism is comprised of the devotional sects of Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism (Smartism is sometimes listed as a fourth division). Hinduism is often used as umbrella term, since many point to Hinduism as a family of different religions ... "

The article presents countries, including United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Singapore, that celebrate the Diwali and the different ways of celebrating it.

More and more Australians are embracing Diwali -- the Hindi festival of light. It's a time for reflecting and cleansing, and can involve spring cleaning, shopping for gold and celebrating the victory of light over darkness.

"Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is also an occasion for celebration by Jains and Sikhs ... "

"Diwali, also known as Dipawali or the festival of lights, is a Hindu national holiday that is celebrated as New Year's in the Vikram calendar during the month of Kartika. The five-day festival falls in accordance with the moon phases, beginning on the night of the new moon in either October or November in the Gregorian calendar ... "

"Diwali is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (diya or deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness ... "

For Sunil Badami, celebrating Diwali in Australia is a thread connecting his two identities. For as long as the lamps are lit, "Rama can find His way home".

Celebrated with candles, fireworks, gifts, new clothes and reunions, Diwali is surely one of the jolliest festivals celebrated by any culture. This probably explains why adherents of four separate religions celebrate it! Dom Knight explains why he’s travelling to India to revel in the festival of lights.

"For Sunil Badami, celebrating Diwali in Australia is a thread connecting his two identities. For as long as the lamps are lit, "Rama can find His way home"."

"For billions of people around the world, Diwali is about celebrating the triumph of good over evil, but for thousands of Indian migrants in northern NSW, it also means progress and freedom."

"After Australia abolished it’s whites only immigration policy in the 60s, Indians started migrating to Australia for education and work. Today there are over 450,000 Hindus in Australia who call Australia home ... "

Wish you all a very Happy Festival of Lights, Diwali, which is celebrated in India with a lot of enthusiasm and bonhomie, is now being celebrated all around Australia by the Indian diaspora. Many cultural and traditional celebration marks the festival in all of the metro cities, of course Melbourne and Sydney with its growing Indian population takes the lead.