The deeper meaning behind Diwali
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- BAPS.org/LosAngeles
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Massive celebration in Ayodhya
Southern California's biggest
What is Diwali or the Festival of Lights?
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| New Year thanks to the Great God (Brahma) |
Diwali is associated with the spiritual victory or triumph of Dharma over Adharma, light over darkness, righteousness over wrongdoing, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance [5, 6, 7, 8].
Diwali is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar months of Ashvin (according to the Hindu calendar's amanta tradition) and Kārtika – between around mid-October and mid-November [14], while the Western world is caught up in acknowledging the darkness of Halloween, Day of the Dead, Samhain, and the like.
Diwali as India's Hindu Christmas?
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| The Buddha meets with Sakka and Brahma |
Diwali is also widely associated with the Goddess of Prosperity Lakshmi and the Remover of Obstacles Ganesha, who is a god of wisdom [18].
Other regional Indian traditions connect the holiday to Vishnu, Krishna, Durga, Shiva, Kali, Hanuman, Kubera, Yama, Yami, Dhanvantari, or Vishvakarman.
Primarily a Hindu festival today, variations of Diwali are also celebrated by adherents of other non-Hindu traditions [15].
Newar Buddhist Diwali (Kali Puja)
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| The Great (Maha) Brahma, creator deity |
Newar Buddhists, unlike other Buddhists, celebrate Diwali by worshipping Lakshmi, while the Hindus of Eastern India and Bangladesh generally, celebrate Diwali by worshipping the goddess Kali [22, 2, 23].
Jains observe their own Diwali, which marks the final liberation of their founder Mahavira [19, 20], who is known in Buddhism as the Nigantha Nattaputta or the Brahmin Vardhamāna.
Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas to mark the release of Guru Hargobind from a Mughal prison [21]. More
How Diwali became India's biggest fest
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San Antonio, Texas' 18th year
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- Diwali Festival: Deepawali (diwalifestival.org)
