Diwali 2013 - November 2, 2013

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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

I am participating in 

Sundays in My City

In India - Thoughts As 2012 Begins - December 31, 2011

I find myself so far from home,

As I wait for New Year's day,

Yet the magic of technology,

Makes no place far away.

I'll raise my glass at midnight,

And toast to all I see,

For here in crowded India,

I've fulfilled my destiny.

Last New Year's eve I told myself,

I'd made a dream come true,

To return to far off India,

To see beloved cruise ship crew.

People thought me crazy,

It's not for one your age,

That trip is for a youngster,

You're way beyond that stage.

I felt just more determined,

Though I suffered from self doubt,

Each time there was an obstacle,

I, somehow, worked it out.

With the blessing of my sons,

I boarded that long flight,

And the rest, of course, is history,

As I celebrate tonight.

I embrace the New Year,

From this land so dear to me,

And pray it showers blessings,

To every land and sea.

I always pray for peace,

To reign upon the earth,

To follow every little child,

From the moment of their birth.

From this land of many gods,

I wish for all mankind,

Prosperity in the coming year,

May happiness you find.

Carmen Henesy

 Copyright (c) December  31, 2011 by Carmen Henesy 

All rights reserved

Mellow Yellow Monday - The Indian Festival of Holi - 3/1/10

Holi colors by kkalyan

 Colorful fellow by dvortygirl

 Holi pigments by alschim

Holi color seller by carol miller

To all my Indian friends and others who celebrate the Festival of Colors or Holi, I wish you a joyous celebration.  I am sure that Hitesh, Braja, Geeta, Deepak, Shiju, Rajesh  or our other Indian bloggers can better tell us about this spring festival which is celebrated by Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains and others, according to Wikipedia.  It can last up to sixteen days and many have participated in the ritual of smearing colored powder on each other and throwing scented and colored water.

Celebrated on the day after the first full moon in March, Holi is a time of fun, joy, music and dancing.  Learn more about Holi at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi or

http://hinduism.about.com/od/holifestivalofcolors/a/holybasics.htm.