Diwali 2014 - October 21 - October 25

Once again, for the third consecutive year, I am in India for Diwali.  I still haven't
learned to speak Hindi though my smart phone, a Samsung Note 3, is full of
Hindi aps which I should be learning, so, hopefully, if I survive to use my return
ticket May 5, 2015, I will be able to say more than hello, thank you and goodbye.
One of the aps must be a military or law enforcement Hindi program because it
has such tidbits as, "stop or I'll shoot," and other important commands of that
nature.

Diwali, the "festival of lights," which is, I believe, the most important of Hindu
festivals, falls very shortly after the celebration of Navratri, which honors the
Hindu goddess Durga, in all of her manifestations.  Diwali celebrates the victory
of good over evil, light over darkness, and hope over despair.  Each of the five
days is dedicated to a special celebration.

Diwali is a time when people clean their home, buy new clothes, exchange
gifts with family and friends and make offerings ( puja ) to the gods.  Family
feasts take place and lights, candles, everywhere, there is light.  As night falls,
firecrackers boom until the early hours of morning.

Diwali is a major shopping period, corresponding to Christmas in Western
countries.

I've written in previous blogs about this major Hindu celebration.  The links
are below.

http://rnsane.blogspot.in/2013/11/diwali-2013-november-2-2013.html#links

http://rnsane.blogspot.in/2012/11/getting-ready-for-diwali-november-11.html#linksT

To all my Hindu, Jain and Sikh friends in India and throughout the world - and to all
others who may celebrate Diwali, I send my heartfelt wishes for a joyous and
wonderful festival of lights with blessings from your gods and goddesses.