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Event
Information:
Diwali
(also spelled Divali in few
countries) or Deepavali is popularly
known as the festival of lights. Its
an important five-day festival in
Hinduism and Jainism, occurring
between mid-October and
mid-November. For Hindus, Diwali is
the most important festival of the
year and is celebrated in families
by performing traditional activities
together in their homes. Deepavali
is an official holiday in India,
Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago,
Mauritius, Malaysia, Nepal,
Singapore, Sri Lanka, Myanmar , Fiji
, and Suriname.
The
name Diwali is itself a contraction
of the word "Deepavali" which
translates into row of lamps. Diwali
involves the lighting of small clay
lamps (divas) filled with oil to
signify the triumph of good over
evil. During Diwali, all the
celebrants wear new clothes and
share sweets and snacks with family
members and friends. Some Indian
business communities begin the
financial year on the first day of
Diwali, hoping for prosperity the
following year.
In
Jainism, Diwali marks the attainment
of moksha by Mahavira in 527 BC. In
Sikhism, Deepavali commemorates the
return of Guru Har Gobind Ji to
Amritsar after freeing 52 Hindu
kings imprisoned in Fort Gwalior by
Emperor Jahangir; the people lit
candles and diyas to celebrate his
return. This is the reason Sikhs
also refer to Deepavali as Bandi
Chhorh Divas, "the day of release of
detainees". Deepavali is widely
celebrated in both India and Nepal.
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