Today is Diwali, a holiday otherwise known as the ‘Festival of Lights.’ In addition, it marks the beginning of the Hindu new year. Though primarily celebrated by Hindus throughout the world, Jainist and Sikh communities also observe this day. Diwali falls in October or November, depending on the Hindu lunar calendar and is a national holiday in countries with large Hindu populations, including India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji. The United States gave the holiday official status in 2007.
a rangoli or decorative design for Diwali
Diwali is a time to get together and celebrate with family and friends. Homes are thoroughly cleaned, elaborate outfits and fine jewelry are worn, and there is an abundance of food, especially sweets. There are many religious stories and myths associated with the holiday, the most recognized being Lord Rama’s return home from exile after a triumph over the demon Ravana. During Diwali, diyas are lit to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Diyas are small candles made with a wick dipped in ghee or clarified butter in a clay or brass holder. Hindus place them inside their homes as well as outside on steps and in gardens, to welcome and honor the goddess of light and prosperity, Lakshmi, into their homes. The twinkling lights are symbolic of Rama’s goodness and victory over evil, as well as appreciation for good fortune in life.
diyas
When I was little I loved Diwali for all the pretty lights, festivities and sweets. Now, it’s all that plus the simple but powerful notion of celebrating and giving thanks for all of the good things I am fortunate to have. Whether you are Hindu or not, it’s a wonderful time to get together with those you love and think of all that’s bright in your life. Happy Diwali to all!
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Hindu holidays 
On October 26th Hindus all over the world will be celebrating one of their most important festivals of the year: Diwali. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. To Hindus, darkness represents ignorance, and light is a metaphor for knowledge. Lighting a lamp symbolizes the destruction, through knowledge, of all negative forces. Diwali is celebrated by Hindus of all ages and during the festival celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.
If you are looking for children’s books about Diwali check out Chad Stephenson’s Personal View piece Diwali: The Hindu Festival of Lights, and the following PaperTigers’ blog posts:
Poetry Friday: About Diwali and its Poetic Origins in the Ramayana
Happy Diwali!
Diwali, Festival of Lights
Enjoying this season is sometimes hard for me. I love this time of year but I have found I get stuck on the fact that it goes by so darn fast! Knowing I'm like this I had to make a conscious effort to get over it. I love getting out the decorations, holiday music and looking at all the lights on the houses. Oh, not to mention I love the mailbox this time of year because I get all the wonderful Christmas cards from friends and family. So I am making the most of this Christmas season regardless of my desire for it to last three months.
My husband and I decided to put our oldest son in charge of taking all the pictures this holiday season. Jared loves the camera and video camera like you can't imagine, constantly taking videos and pictures. So in order to keep him from getting bored (he has Autism) on our outings we put him in charge of photography.
Here is a picture he took of us...do you see me? Yeah, I couldn't get him to scoot back to take the picture. We went to Galveston Texas to see The Polar Express in 4D and of course my boys loved it. I kept getting sprayed in the face with water...it was like I was sitting right in front of that darn sprayer (they say it's a water mist). Also you experience wind, a neck air blast, snow, bubbles, steam, leg ticklers, scents, enhanced floor lighting, and seat vibrations. It's cute and all the kids in the theater were all so happy.
What's Christmas without a light up display of Patrick from SpongeBob Squarepants?
Moody Gardens Festival Of Lights...thanks Jared for doing such a great job taking pictures and making great memories.
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4D..... sounds like fun. I know my boys would love it!