Diwali

[Constantina 5]

Well, Diwali has finally arrived and it is interesting becuase lots of lights get put up normally in India, but Diwali is being celebrated outside India. This year, it's from October 21st to October 26th. This very Indian festival is so beautiful that it is a national holiday in my NationState.

So what is Diwali? When I think of this festival, the first word I come up with is 'festival of lights'. But Diwali is not only the festival of lights. It is also a special occasion to worship Hindu gods Lord Vinayaka, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Mahabali. For the Jains, it is a time to remember Lord Mahavira.

Diwali is celebrated by decorating homes with lights, fireworks and gift-giving. The festival is also observed with prayers and religious rituals.

I think the Hindus and Jains should be welcomed, at all times at Simtropolis. Which is why I should say to them, Diwali Greetings.

[Meg 368]

Happy Diwali to all who celebrate it.

For more info, here is the wiki article

[jacqulina 162]

constantina have you any pics please that would be fantastic

[Camaron 1]

I was told it was happening now, happy Diwali to those that wish to celebrate it!

[amal81 3]

I celebrate it, Actually the festival of Diwali is about a week long. It runs according to the Lunar calendar and on 21st of October was the last day of the Hindu year. That day is what is known as Diwali. People have a ritual of worshiping their account books or now-a-days computers. After that ritual is over people go out and burst fire crackers the whole night and the festivities really begin. Diwali is the last day as per the Hindu Calendar. The second most important day is the new years day which was on 23rd of October (yesterday). On the new years day, we entertain guests and close relatives at our homes and wish them a happy new year. Sometimes we exchange gifts with our family members and close relatives similar to what you might have in Christmas.

Female members of the family sometimes make colourful patterns in front porch of the house to welcome the guests.

This year my sister made a pattern and filled it with powdered colour, it looked something like this:

This is what she did last year:

[jacqulina 162]

thats beautifull amal thankyou for showing us

[purpledaddy 6]

Wow.  I have a few colleagues that I am friends with at the Bureau of Bureacracies who are Indian.  I'm now curious if they observe it.  They're mostly christian, but perhaps the holiday is celebrated in a secular way like Christmas and others holidays with religious origins are.

[amal81 3]

^ Yes Diwali even though being a Hindu festival, most Indian Muslims and Christian celebrate with as much enthusiasm as Eid or Christmas.

[s.i.X 13]

Is this the one where they whip each other with colour?

Don't get more festive than that!

[Constantina 5]

Great festival, I can tell you. I must confess that Diwali is better than Haloween, besides the fact that you get the same amount of sweets, but it is a bit more friendly.

[jacqulina 162]

sounds great are there any pics