What You Need to Know about Diwali, the Festival of Light

DIWALI Festival of Light A QUICK GLANCE AT DIWALI Shubh Deepavali! 'Shubh Deepavali', 'Diwali' is derived It's celebrated on the 15th It's the largest day of the Hindu month of Kartika (somewhere from the Sanskrit and most the customary word 'Deepavali', widely greeting, means 'Have an auspicious meaning 'rows of lights' between Oct - Nov in celebrated Gregorian calendar) holiday in India Diwali' WHERE IS IT CELEBRATED? Not just in India, Diwali is also a national holiday in Trinidad & Tobago, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Guyana, Suriname, Singapore, Malaysia, and Fiji SIGNIFICANCE FOR DIFFERENT RELIGIONS HINDUISM JAINISM SIKHISM Signifies the victory of good over evil, and Marks the attainment Marks the release of Guru Hargobind Sahibji & 52 princes that were held captive by emperor of liberation, when the return of Lord Mahavira delivered his final teaching and attained moksha Rama & Sita after 14 years of exile Shah Jahan TRADITIONS Cleaning the house before Visiting relatives, feasting, and exchanging gifts Offering Llighting the diyas, setting off fireworks, and decorating the house with rangoli prayers to the Goddess the festival Lakshmi & sweets DID YOU KNOW? $$ The total cost of the firecrackers exploded in Diwali is estimated to be around 1 billion dollars Playing card games during Diwali is believed to bring good luck & prosperity in the year ahead The biggest Diwali celebration outside of India is hosted by the English city of Leicester Protojaanic Source: thefactfile.org/diwali-facts/ bbc.co.uk/newsround/15451833 safra.sg/articles_library/deepavali-facts.aspx#.WcOvDtFrw2w www.photojaanic.com