Did You Know?
October 28

It’s Diwali!

Today is Bhai Duj, the 5th and final day of the Diwali festival.

The final day of Diwali is known as Bhai Duj. On this day, brothers and sisters exchange gifts as tokens of their love and as a hope for one another’s safe-keeping. There is also a focus on seeing the good in everyone on the last day of the festival — even in one’s enemies.

May You Have a Happy, Bright, and Prosperous Diwali,
Louie and the Holiday Elves

Bhai Duj (Hindu)
5 Days of Diwali: Day 05
The final day of Diwali is known as Bhai Duj. On this day, brothers and sisters exchange gifts as tokens of their love and as a hope for one another’s safe-keeping. There is also a focus on seeing the good in everyone on the last day of the festival — even in one’s enemies.

Calendar Resource: Deepavali 2011 Calendar

Padwa & Govardhan Puja (Hindu)
5 Days of Diwali: Day 04
On the fourth day of Diwali, there is a tradition to settle old accounts and start new books. These new books are worshipped in a special ceremony, during which Hindus focus on eliminating jealousy and anger from their lives.

More: Diwali on the Net – Day 04: Padwa & Govardhan Puja

photo credit: via flickr

Did You Know?
October 26

It’s Diwali!

Today is Lakshmi Puja / Diwali, the 3rd of the 5 days of the Diwali festival.

The third day of Diwali is the highlight of the festival, when families light their oil lamps, symbolizing the illumination of knowledge.

It is on this day that the Goddess Laskhmi is worshipped, calling on her to bring wealth and prosperity, and to triumph over evil and darkness.

May You Have a Happy, Bright, and Prosperous Diwali,
Louie and the Holiday Elves

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

Diwali (Hindu/Jainism/India)
Also known as Deepavali, Diwali is a joyous five day celebration celebrating the victory of good over evil.

It is also referred to as the “Festival of Lights” because special lamps, know as diyas or kandils, are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for humankind.

Visit our holiday celebration – Diwali on the Net – A Celebration of the Festival of Lights

photo credit: McGun via flickr

Lakshmi Puja / Diwali (Hindu)
5 Days of Diwali: Day 03
The third day of Diwali is the highlight of the festival, when families light their oil lamps, symbolizing the illumination of knowledge.

It is on this day that the Goddess Laskhmi is worshipped, calling on her to bring wealth and prosperity, and to triumph over evil and darkness.

More: Diwali on the Net – Day 03: Lakshmi Puja / Diwali

photo credit: via flickr

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore
About Hindu Festival of Light
Oct 25 : 01 day to Diwali

Did you know that one out of every seven people on the planet is a Hindu living in India?

The majority of Hindus live in India, although there are also significant Hindu populations in Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Fiji, African, Europe and North America. About one million Hindus live in the United States, for example.

BTW – Today is Choti Diwali – Narak Chaturdashi, the 2nd of the 5 days of the Diwali festival.

On the second day of Diwali, the focus is on worshipping Kali, the goddess of Strength. Special emphasis is also placed on abolishing evil and, particularly, laziness.

Diyas and candles are lit in the evening and crackers burst (shooting fireworks) in order to mark the celebration of Choti Diwali.

Diwali, or the “festival of lights” is celebrated by Hindus across India and the huge Hindu diaspora spread all over the world. This multi-day festival, whose name literally means “row of lighted lamps“, is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm and is the most important Hindu festival on the annual calendar. Join us as we present a new “Did You Know?” fact each day as we countdown to Diwali.

Diwali begins Wednesday October 26, 2011.

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