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.

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

Choti Diwali – Narak Chaturdashi 5 Days of Diwali: Day 02
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.

More: Diwali on the Net – Day 02: Choti Diwali – Narak Chaturdashi

photo credit: via flickr

Happy Diwali!

Holidays on the Net is delighted to invite you to our holiday celebration – Diwali on the Net – celebrating the five-day Hindu Festival of Lights.

Whether with modest oil lamps or awesome firework displays, the Diwali festival illuminates Hindu homes and businesses for five spectacular days.

Come join us as we share some of the ancient mythology practiced on each of the fives days of the Diwali, including the pinnacle third day when families light their traditional diyas (oil lamps). Learn more about the origin of this ancient festival and then savor some of the sugary treats that are traditionally served during Diwali.

If you are interested in investigating more about the Hindu religion, let our introduction to Hinduism get your started. Just don’t forget to test your knowledge with our fun Did You Know? Diwali feature.

Diwali begins this Wednesday October 26, 2011.

Wishing you a prosperous and peaceful Diwali.

Happy Diwali,

Louie and the Holiday Elves

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore
About Diwali, the Hindu
Festival of Light
Oct 24 : 02 days to Diwali

Did you know that Hindus believe in one all-powerful Absolute, called Brahman?

Hinduism, however, is classified as a polytheistic faith, because aspects of the Brahman are represented by thousands of gods and goddesses, including Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver), Shiva (Destroyer), and Lakshmi (Wealth). In fact, Hindu is said to be a religion of a million and one gods.

BTW – Today is Dhanteras, the 1st of the 5 days of the Diwali festival.

In many regions of India and other Hindu nations, the first day of Diwali is marked by a holiday called Dhanteras. At sunset, Hindus bathe and offer a diya (lighted oil lamp) to Yama Raj, the Lord of Death, for protection from an untimely death.

Homes and business are decorated with diyas and kandils (colorful paper lanterns). Many also offer a fire ritual for good health and strength in the coming year.

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.

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