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.  

Diwali 2013 - November 2, 2013

Bing image, domain free

This is the second Diwali - this year from November 3rd to November 7th - that 

I have been in India.  It is probably the major Hindu festival of the year, celebrated

by friends and family with much joy and festivity, firecrackers popping, gift giving 

and wonderful foods, traditional to this time of celebration.  Much like Christmas 

in the Christian world, it is a holiday when those far afield return to their homeland 

to be with their families to maintain traditions.  Diwali, the festival of lights, is

a joyous time, a time of rebirth, hope, and homes are filled with candles and diyas

burning oil to fill the world with brightness.

Bing image, domain free

Each of the four days of Diwali has a different legend/theme/myth, usually

dealing with the triumph of good over evil and darkness, thus the importance

and significance of light.  Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word "dipavali"

which means "row of lights" and candles and diyas are placed  everywhere in

homes and business.  Fireworks light the heavens and there is a sense of

joy everywhere.

Bing image, domain free

If you'd like to know a little more about Diwali, check out the links below.  

Happy Diwali to everyone, especially to all of my Hindu and Indian friends in India 

and elsewhere in the world.  I wish you all a happy Diwali filled with all life's blessing 

for you and those you hold dear. At this sacred time, when evil was banished and 

light overcame darkness, I am honored to once again be in India to share in this 

joyous occasion. May the goddess, Lakshmi, bring you, not only material wealth, but 

the wealth of loving family and friends and may the Lord Ganesha constantly remove 

any obstacles that come up in your life.

Bing image, domain free

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali

http://hinduism.about.com/od/diwalifestivaloflights/a/diwali.htm

I am participating in 

Sundays in My City

Getting Ready for Diwali - November 11, 2012

A couple of evenings ago, my friend, Ajay Shekhawat, of the Umaid Mahal Hotel,
took me out to see Jaipur's preparations for Diwali, celebrated by Indians in all
parts of the world.  Diwali, popularly known as "the festival of the lights", is a five
day celebration, very important in the Hindu world.  Families perform traditional
celebrations in their homes and small lamps are lit to signify the triumph of good
over evil.  To learn more about Diwali, go to:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali
or:   http://www.diwalifestival.org/.  Puja or offerings are made to the gods/
goddesses and gifts are exchanged among family or friends.

As we rode through the street of downtown Jaipur and to one of the busiest bazaars,
I was reminded of our own Christmas.  Of course, it was a few days before Diwali 
and all the lights were not yet up.  They don't start a month in advance as our
retailers do in the U. S. It was noisy and crowded, though, at 8PM and I was told 
that in two days, vehicular traffic would be impossible and everyone would be on
foot.

My night photography isn't the best but, at least, you'll get an idea.

We rode from Bani Park, where I live, into town, in an autorickshaw

Here the streets aren't so crowded but it all changes in a minute!

Jaipur is so much less crowded than Mumbai or Delhi

I'd like to go back and see what it looks like now, two days later!

Jaipur has some of the most beautiful architecture.

Ajay decides we should switch to a bicycle rickshaw so I can get

better shots

This is the brave soul who decides he can pull me!

Even though I've lost weight, Ajay has a tight squeeze fitting

next to me!

Most Indian business communities begin their financial

year on Dhanteras, the day the festival starts.

One's house is cleaned to make the goddess, Lakshmi, the

goddess of wealth, feel welcome

Now, it is very crowded in the streets and stores are busy.

This could be last minute Christmas shopping in the U. S.!

There are so many motorcycles parked, it's hard to get to the shops!

Rajasthan does have a helmet law - but the chin straps are
rarely fastened nor do second ( or 3rd passenger  ) 
seldom have one ) and children don't wear them!

This is the only cow I saw wandering in the downtown area.
From the looks of him, he doesn't find much to eat.

Ajay says oil and cotton are put in these little holders to

make Diwali lights....doesn't seem to safe around children!

People shop for new clothes for Diwali

I'm not sure if these guys were just waiting for their wives or what!


Happy Diwali to all!