Happy New Year!

Diwali is a five day festival that represents the start of the Hindu New Year. It honors the victory of good over evil, and brightness over darkness. It also marks the start of winter.

Diwali is actually celebrated in honor of Lord Rama and his wife Sita, returning to their kingdom of Ayodhya, following Rama and monkey god Hanuman's defeat of the demon King Ravana and rescue of Sita from Ravana's evil clutches.

In 2013, Diwali starts with Dhanteras on November 1. Each day of the festival has a different meaning. The main festivities take place on the third day (November 3rd, this year), while the fourth day is celebrated as New Year's Day. Merchants open fresh accounts for the new year, and offer prayers. On the fifth and last day, brothers and sisters get together and share food, to honor the bond between them.

On the third day of Diwali, lots of small clay lamps (diyas) and candles are lit and placed in houses. Fireworks are sett off everywhere, giving Diwali its name of “Festival of Lights.” People also clean and decorate their homes with folk art (rangoli) buy new clothes, gamble, and give each other gifts and sweets.

Rangoli remind me of Amish Hex Signs, common in Lancaster, PA.

Other rituals vary according to region. However, special blessings are given to Laxshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. The Goddess Laxshmi is believed to have been created from the churning of the ocean on the main Diwali day and that she'll visit every home during the Diwali period, bringing with her prosperity and good fortune. It’s said that she visits the cleanest houses first, therefore people make sure their houses are spotless before lighting lamps to invite her in. Small statues of the Goddess are also worshiped in people’s homes.