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|| namaste ||

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The Hindu Jain Temple

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Diwali Trivia – Q1

  • Another way of saying Diwali is – Deepavali.
  • ‘Deep’ means ‘lamp,’ what does ‘avali’ mean?

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Diwali Trivia – A1

  • ‘Deepa’ means lamplight and ‘avali’ means row

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Diwali Trivia – Q2

  • Which major Indian state does not celebrate Diwali?

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Diwali Trivia – A2

  • In Kerala, they instead celebrate the Onam festival during August. The festival is famous for its boat races held that day.

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Diwali Trivia – Q3

  • One of the reasons we celebrate Diwali:
    1. Bhagwan Ram beat Raavan
    2. Hanuman Ji crossed the sea and went to Lanka
    3. Bhagwan Ram returned to Ayodhya
    4. Hanuman Ji burned Lanka

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Diwali Trivia – A3

  • c. Diwali celebrates the return of Bhagwan Ram, Sita Mata, and Lakshman to Ayodhya after their exile and defeating Raavan.

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Diwali Trivia – Q4

  • Which city celebrates a second Diwali 15 days after the actual Diwali?
    1. Haridwar
    2. Varanasi
    3. Dwarka
    4. Mumbai

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Diwali Trivia – A4

  • Hindus believe that all the Deities descend in b. Varanasi on this day (which has a full moon night – Kartik Poornima)
  • They light thousands of lamps and perform grand Aaratis at the banks of Ganga on this day.

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Diwali Trivia – Q5

  • The festival of Deepavali is celebrated over how many days?

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Diwali Trivia – A5

  • In many regions Diwali is celebrated over 5 days.

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Diwali Trivia – Q6

  • In which of these days is “Diwali” – ‘main festival’ celebrated (return of Ram)

Fifth Day

Bhai Dooj

First Day

Dhanteras

Second Day

Naraka Chaturdashi

Third Day

Lakshmi Poojan

Kali Poojan

Mahavir Puja

Fourth Day

Bali Pratipada

Govardhan Pooja

Anna-Koota

New Year

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Diwali Trivia – A6

  • The main celebration is celebrated on Day 3!
    • Lakshmi Pooja – Invite Devi Lakshmi into our homes
    • Prepare for the start of new year

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DIWALI – DAY 3

  • Return of Ram-Sita-Lakshman
    • Main cause and day of celebration in Northern India and Nepal.
    • According to Ramayana, Shri Rama, Devi Sita and Lakshmana returned from their 14-year long exile to Ayodhya. To welcome them, the citizens of Ayodhya lit lamps of butter to illuminate the moon-less night.
  • Mahalakshmi Pujan
    • Devi Mahalakshmi appeared from the Ksheer Sagar (ocean of milk) on this day as the Devas and Asuras churned the ocean using Snake Vasuki as the rope
  • Kaali Pujan
    • In Bengal, Hindus pray to Mother Kali for strength and remembering their departed ancestors.
  • Jain Celebrations: Swami Mahāvīra Nirvāña Diwas
    • The 24th (last) Tirthankara Swami Mahavir of Jains obtained Moksha on this day in 527BC.
  • Sikh Celebrations
    • Guru Nanak imprisoned by Emperor Babar was freed when Hindus held a ‘candle-light march’ on Diwali to protest his imprisonment.

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Diwali Festival

  • Deepawali is a “Maha Parva” for strengthening the social fabric
  • Celebrated on the darkest night of the year – Kartika Amavasya (New Moon)
  • Beginning of the Fiscal year
  • Prosperity: Promote Finance & Business – sweets, clothing, fireworks, jewelry, grains
  • Marks the advent of a new season and the sowing of new crops.

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Diwali around the World

  • Diwali is a national holiday in India, Nepal, Kenya, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Guyana, Suriname, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago.
  • It is ‘officially’ celebrated in UK, Canada and in the United States.
  • The White House added it to the list of festivals for celebration in 2008.
  • Diwali has an official festival status in the New York City and is celebrated across dozens of University Campuses all over our country.

Diwali fireworks at Univ of Texas (Austin) in 2007

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Diwali celebrations around the world

Pictures from: India, USA, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia

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How can we celebrate Diwali?

  • Clean and decorate your homes and temples
  • Light up your home:
    • Diyas and indoor/outdoor lights
    • Lots of colors
    • Rangoli
  • Dress up in new and fancy clothes
  • Spend time with family and friends
    • In person OR virtually!
  • Fireworks
    • Safely and in limited quantity (environment friendly)
  • Exchange sweets and gifts with loved ones
  • Pray and celebrate together

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The Message of Diwali

  • The victory of good over evil - Dharma over Adharma.
  • The victory of light over darkness - spiritual wisdom over ignorance.
  • The victory of life over death - good health over sickness.
  • The victory of prosperity over poverty - growth over stagnancy.
  • The victory of hope over despair.
  • Auspicious beginnings of all our ventures.

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Asato maa sadgamaya,

tamaso maa jyotirgamaya,

mrityormaa’mritam gamaya ||

Lead us from unreality and falsehood to Reality and Truth

Lead us from darkness (of ignorance) to the Light (of knowledge)

Lead us from death (fear of) to Immortality (understanding physical limitations)

(Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)

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Chant OM 3 times

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