Tuesday, October 28, 2008

A Happy Diwali

The Most colorful festival of Indian subcontinent is being celebrated today as the entire country goes worshiping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha,as Lakshmi the Goddess of wealth and Ganesha the good omen Lord to give success in acts of human for the welfare of all human beings.Festival of Lights,lighting a an oil based lamps a symbolic way of our spirit to get rid of darkness and let the inner light lit our
self.

Happy Diwali -Intellectual Premier Club of India Inc
2008-10-28 08:10:27 - Diwali is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the month Kartika.Starting transition new year with hindu year of the end of Samvat 2064,change from old to new with nature.to the triumph of light,the ultimate truth,knowledge over darkness,ignorance and goodness over evil.Festivals created in such scientific ways to bring community united of all cross section of people,family,relations meetings with their counterparts and strengthening the social fabric.Starting from first day cow and calf is worshipped. Since it is believed that cow is symbol of God, Diwali is begun by worshipping cow and calf. Dhanteras, the second day, is the auspicious day where it's supposed to be lucky to buy gold and is a big day for businesses," Then is "Narak Chaturdasi, the third day, celebrates the destruction of evil and brings light into everyone's life."The fourth day is the actual day of Diwali, devotees do worship to the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. On The fifth day is Govardhan Puja, is symbolic of the love and devotion between a husband and wife."Bhai Duj, the sixth day, is symbolic love that brothers and sisters have.

Hindus it is homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest, after he defeated the evil Ravana.The Jain festivals, Diwali is one of the most important one as on this occasion Jain celebrate the Nirvana of Lord Mahavira who established the dharma as we follow it.

Sikhs, Diwali came to have special significance from the day the town of Amritsar was illuminated on the return to it of Guru Hargobind (1595-1644) who had been held captive in the Fort at Gwalior under the orders of the Mughal emperor, Jahangir (1570-1627). As the sixth Guru (teacher) of Sikhism, Guru Hargobind Ji, was freed from imprisonment - along with 53 Hindu Kings were held as political prisoners whom the Guru had arranged to be released as well. After his release he went to the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in the holy city of Amritsar, where he was welcomed in happiness by the people who lit candles and diyas to greet the Guru. Because of this, Sikhs often refer to Diwali also as Bandi Chhorh Divas - 'the day of release of detainees."

The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists of Nepal, particularly the Newar Buddhists.

Naraka Chaturdashi (29 Ashvin or 14 Krishna Paksha Ashvin): Chaturdashi is the fourteenth day on which demon Narakasura was killed. It signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness (Gujarati: Kali Chaudas, Rajasthan : Roop Chaudas).In south India , this is the actual day of festivities. Hindus wake up way before dawn as early as 2:00 in the morning, have a fragrant oil bath and wear new clothes. They light small lamps all around the house and draw elaborate kolams /rangolis outside their homes. They perform a special puja with offerings to Lord Sri Krishna or Lord Sri Vishnu, as he liberated the world from the demon Narakasura on this day. It is believed that taking a bath before sunrise, when the stars are still visible in the sky is equivalent to taking a bath in the holy Ganges.

President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today greeted the people on the occasion of Diwali.In her warm greetings,good wishes, the President said, "May this year's festival bring peace, prosperity and communal harmony"Diwali, the festival of light, signifies the triumph of righteousness and victory of good over evil within every human being," she said.

Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari has greeted the people of our country on the joyous occasion of Deepawali.'I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the joyous occasion of Deepawali.

Deepawali, the festival of lights, is celebrated all over the country in a mood of festivity and gaiety. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil and strengthens our resolve to follow the high ideals in life. Deepawali has always been a great unifying force in our society as it draws people out in a joyful celebration. Let us celebrate this unique festival in its true spirit.May this festival usher in peace, prosperity and happiness in the lives of all citizens'.he said.

Prime Minister DR Man Mohan Singh said Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has greeted the people on the joyous occasion of Deepawali.In a message, the Prime Minister said that the festival of lights, Deepawali is an important occasion for promoting brotherhood and fellow feeling among all sections of the people. The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil and reflects the true spirit of our composite culture. It also heralds the approach of winter and the beginning of the sowing season.'May this festival of light bring joy, happiness, peace and prosperity, to our people', the Prime Minister added.

Barak Obama has wished a "joyous" Diwali to the Indian American community in US, saying the festival provides a "wonderful opportunity" to reflect on the year past and rededicate to spread peace and tolerance in the coming year.

US president George W Bush has wished an 'uplifting and hopeful' Diwali to the Indian-American community in Washington, saying the festival reminds of the great blessings of religious freedom and the two nations' strong traditions of faith.

The president and the first lady Laura Bush sent their greetings through the members of the community who came to the White House to mark the occasion as it had been done in past years of the Republican administration.'I send greetings to those celebrating Deepavali (Diwali), the festival of lights,' Bush said in a message. 'The candles' flames represent the light of hope and in the blessings of life. The light reminds observers that good always triumphs over evil and we go forward in confidence that it will continue to prevail in future,' he added. President said, "This joyous festival reminds all citizens of the great blessings of religious freedom and our nations strong traditions of faith." "Laura and I send our Best Wishes for an uplifting and hopeful Diwali," Bush added.

"During Diwali, millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains around the world will join together setting out 'diyas' and enjoying fireworks in celebration of the Festival of Lights," he said. PTI 2008-10-28 06:30:06 - The Most colorful festival of Indian subcontinent is being celebrated today as the entire country goes worshiping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha,as Lakshmi the Goddess of wealth and Ganesha the good omen Lord to give success in acts of human for the welfare of all human beings.Festival of Lights,lighting a an oil based lamps a symbolic way of our spirit to get rid of darkness and let the inner light lit our self.

it is also said the that as invention of fire came to knowledge of human beings,the comforts from chill winter and food for body flourished in primitive ages.Each house is lit and decorated with hundreds of earthen lamps and candles give an aesthetic look to the cities and town,villages with fireworks at its best in evening to midnight brings call of Lord Rama back home from his fourteen years of exiled imposed to Him by his stepmother.

One of the festivals that unite the people irrespective of their religion and nationality is Diwali in Singapore. Hindus celebrate the annual Festival of Lights - Diwali - with elaborate light and candle decorations, creating a beautiful spectacle as the night draws in. The festive atmosphere generates a feeling of joy and happiness and is to be felt and shared in Singapore. As a policy, crackers are not sold to avoid noise pollution and only sparklers can be bought. To mark Deepavali- the Hindu festival of lights, "Little India" on Serangoon Road is decorated with lights, garlands and colorful arches. Today, Little India is the emotional and commercial center of the local Indian community. On Diwali day, children accompanied by parents will go to open area to light the sparklers since most of the people live in high-rise apartments. There are more than 18 temples in Singapore and it is customary to offer prayers at the temples. The whole atmosphere provides a feeling of being at home and enables newcomers to easily integrate with the rest of the society. This reminds us of the Tamil proverb "Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir" which means, 'every country is my own and all the people are my kinsmen.'

Nepal is another good place to see the magnificent Diwali celebration. Diwali in Nepal is called Tihar. Just like Indians, Diwali is celebrated here to honor the goddess of wealth (Lakshmi) and the God of prosperity (Ganesha). The whole of Nepal is decorated with lights and lamps. Special foods like sweets of different forms are prepared to mark the festivity. Fireworks and crackers are used widely all around. Myanmar has a good number of Hindu population and most of the Hindu festivals are celebrated over there. Diwali celebrations in Myanmar is really full of glory and fun and is celebrated as per the Hindu solar calendar. The day of the festival is celebrated by worshiping God. The Houses are decorated with lights and lamps, special foods are prepared, gifts are exchanged and fireworks are enjoyed to mark the occasion.

Diwali Mauritius is celebrated with great enthusiasm at Mauritius as this country have great Indian crowd. The Diwali celebrations at Mauritius is as good as in India. The festival of lights- Diwali is celebrated in October/November. Diwali marks the victory of Rama over Ravana and also commemorates Krishna's destruction of the demon Narakasuran. Earthen oil lamps are placed in front of every home turning the island into a fairyland of flickering lights.

Hindu community of Malaysia constitutes about 8% of its total population. The community celebrates Diwali festival as a symbol of triumph of good over evil. The Malaysian people call Diwali as Hari Diwali. The south Indian tradition of oil bath precedes all the rituals of Diwali Festival. The Diwali celebration includes visits to temples and prayers at household altars.Diwali is celebrated almost all over the Malaysia except in Sarawak Federal Territory of Labuan.

The Indonesian island of Bali is famous for celebrating the festival of Diwali, as a majority of the population here are Indians. It is one of the most revered festivals of the locals here. The celebration and rituals of the festival is mostly similar to that celebrated by their counterparts in India.
Australia the wonderful island, continent a vast countrywith cosmopolitan culture on Indian Ocean has an estimated 100000 Indians as settled in Australia. Many of the Indians here are recent arrivals are professionals, that belong to the affluent sections of the Indian societyand to Hindu's here, Diwali is one of the major festivals that is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The lightening of lamps and diyas on Diwali is a common practice. Lack of logistics and appropriate material for celebrations have influenced which has given Diwali an Austalian touch in the celebration of the festival of light.

35 Views - Leave a comment | Comments (1) | Perma link | Email this post

NASA : Search for Alien Life on Saturn’s Moon On Thursday NASA announced a mission to land a car-sized robot quadcopter on S...