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United States Diwali 2019 greetings and quotes: How to celebrate Diwali
Diwali begins on Sunday, October 27 and lasts for five days, celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. The festival of lights is celebrated every autumn in the northern hemisphere and is one of the most popular festivals of Hinduism.
Diwali is also known as Deepavali or Dipavali, a word which comes from the Sanksrit word dipavali meaning “row or series of lights”.
The festival lasts five days and explores themes of forgiveness, joy, knowledge as well as the goddess of wealth - Lakshmi.
The overarching theme of Diwali is one of the triumphs of good over evil.
Across India and around the world, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs decorate their houses with bright colours and dazzling lights.
Feasts, music and dancing also feature, as well as gift-giving and donations to those in need.
Read More:Diwali 2019: What are the best wishes and greetings for Dhanteras?
This celebration is one of prosperity and the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi.
Often metal utensils and gold and silver ornaments are bought, as well as cars, technology and jewellery.
Colourful entrances are created and premises decorated with lanterns to welcome the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Footprints are made out of rice flour and vermilion powder on the floors of homes, and lamps are burned all night.
In the evening of Dhanteras, families get together and small clay diyas are lit to drive away evil spirits.
This day represents the day on which the demon Narakashura was defeated by Lord Krishna and Kali.
There are early morning rituals known as puja carried out on Naraka Chaturdasi.
The puja is performed with oil, flowers, and sandalwood.
Offerings of coconuts are made to Lord Hanuman and Prasada of sesame seeds, jaggery and rice flakes with ghee and sugar.
This day is dedicated to the goddess of wealth, fortune, prosperity and beauty - Lakshmi.
The darkest day of the month, according to legend, Lakshmi visits her devotees and gives gifts and blessings to each of them.
To welcome the goddess, houses are cleaned and decorated with lights, sweet treats are made and traditional foods offered.
Celebrators believe the happier Lakshmi is with the visit, the more she blesses the family with health and wealth.
On this day, devotees prepare a range of vegetarian foods for the god Shri Krishna as a mark of thanks.
The offering of food represents the Govardhan Hill and symbolises and renews taking faith in God.
Hymns or Thaal are sung about the food, and of the Gods accepting it.
Day five - Bhai DoojThis day is for the devotion of siblings, and one on which brothers give gifts to sisters.
Sisters often invite brothers to attend a meal including their favourite foods.
The gift-giving and meal sharing is representative of the duty of a brother to protect his sister, as well as a sister’s blessings for her brother.
Sisters often perform aarti - a ritual of worship - for their brother, applying a red tika on their brother’s forehead.
To greet someone in Hindi for Diwali it’s best to say ‘Diwali ki Shubhkamnayein’ or ‘Shubh Deepavali’. These both mean Happy Diwali.
In Punjabi, this would be ‘Tuhanu Diwali diyan boht both vadhaiyan’ and in Marathi ‘Shush Diwali’ or ‘Diwalichya hard Shubhechha’.
In Tamil, the best greeting would be ‘Deepavali Nalvazhthukal’.
Below are some quotes and greetings in English
On this auspicious festival of lightsMay the glow of joyProsperity and happinessIlluminate your life and your home.Wishing you a Happy Diwali
