Happy Diwali - Indian Festival of Lights Celebration

Today, I enjoyed a Diwali Indian celebration. It's fun to learn something new from another culture.  I didn't have any Indian costume so  my new-found friend Mahdavi(meaning 'garland')  gave me a 'bindi' to put on the forehead. Don't know what a bindi is?  A bindi (Hindi: बिंदी, from Sanskrit bindu, meaning "a drop, small particle, dot") , or a bottu is a forehead decoration worn in South Asia (particularly India). Pushpa (meaning flower) promised to buy me a  similar dress  to what she was wearing, an Indian national costume when she visits India.

The festival of light  brings out the light from human beings in order to fight evil things emanating from darkness.

Now I know what Deepak  means.  Deepak Chopra is  one of the well-recognized Indian names because of his bestselling books and lectures.

Below  Deepak Potnis  who organized the celebration describes what Diwali means in his email.

Diwali or Deepavali popularly known as the "festival of lights" (In Sanskrit language, “deepa”= lamp, “avali” = series of) is a festival celebrated by Indians all over the world. It is celebrated in the month of (Karthika) October or November as per the Indian Lunar calendar.

Diwali involves lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. Celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends. This festival is spread over 5 days; each day of festivity signifies an event in Indian mythology. In each legend, myth and story of Diwali lies the significance of the victory of good over evil; and it is with each Diwali and the lights that illuminate our homes and hearts, that this simple truth finds new reason and hope.

Diwali lights, illuminate every home, street and corner and the scent of incense sticks hangs in the air, mingled with the sounds of fire-crackers, joy, togetherness and hope of beginning new and prosperous year Each day of Diwali is celebrated with a different ritual in Indian homes.