sahil
Senior Member
Posts: 142
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Post by sahil on Nov 13, 2012 19:20:30 GMT
Wish all my friends on FSC & their families a very Happy & Prosperous Diwali. (13-11-2012) Took this shot of celebrations from my balcony.  |
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Post by chrisc on Nov 13, 2012 19:47:01 GMT
Nice shot but what is Diwali?
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Post by Stevewebb on Nov 13, 2012 20:19:05 GMT
Happy Diwali Sahil. You beat me to starting the thread.
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Post by macromeister on Nov 13, 2012 22:25:29 GMT
Good shot, Sahil. I thought that as India is so technologically advanced it would all be done with lasers and computers by now. The fireworks are good though.
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sahil
Senior Member
Posts: 142
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Post by sahil on Nov 14, 2012 5:36:21 GMT
Hey Chris! Well Diwali, festival of lights, is the biggest festival of Indians. It has same charm as Christmas does in other parts of the world. Let me know if you want some detailed information about it. Steve, were you planning to start a thread on Diwali? Really? Cool mate  Nah Rob, we still are traditional and technologically backward I guess  I was making use of technology here to celebrate |
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Post by jeeperman on Nov 14, 2012 6:50:58 GMT
Hmm, I feel somewhat behind having never heard of Diwali, but Happy Diwali!
Oh, and....Nice image as well, Sahil.
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sahil
Senior Member
Posts: 142
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Post by sahil on Nov 14, 2012 8:59:04 GMT
Thanks, Paul! |
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Post by chrisc on Nov 14, 2012 12:37:08 GMT
I have to admit I had to google it to get an understanding of the celebration..but now that I have...HAPPY DIWALI...wow, what a great opportunity for photoshoots!
We want more, we want more.
Indians celebrate with family gatherings, glittering clay lamps, festive fireworks, strings of electric lights, bonfires, flowers, sharing of sweets, and worship to Lakshmi. Some believe that Lakshmi wanders the Earth looking for homes where she will be welcomed. People open their doors and windows and light lamps to invite Lakshmi in.
Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival that is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith: Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs.
Hindus interpret the Diwali story based upon where they live:
In North India they celebrate the story of King Rama's return to Ayodhya after he defeated Ravana by lighting rows of clay lamps.
South India celebrates it as the day that Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura.
In western India the festival marks the day that Lord Vishnu, the Preserver (one of the main gods of the Hindu trinity) sent the demon King Bali to rule the nether world.
In all interpretations, one common thread rings true—the festival marks the victory of good over evil.
Non-Hindu communities have other reasons for celebrating the holiday:
In Jainism, it marks the nirvana or spiritual awakening of Lord Mahavira in Oct. 15, 527 B.C.
In Sikhism it marks the day that Guru Hargobind Ji, the Sixth Sikh Guru was freed from imprisonment.
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Five Days of Diwali
On the first day of Diwali, housewives consider it auspicious to spring clean the home and shop for gold or kitchen utensils.
On the second day, people decorate their homes with clay lamps or diyas and create design patterns called rangoli on the floor using colored powders or sand.
This is the main day of the festival when families gather together for Lakshmi puja, a prayer to Goddess Lakshmi followed by mouth-watering feasts and firework festivities.
This is the first day of the new year when friends and relatives visit with gifts and best wishes for the season.
On the last day of Diwali, brothers visit their married sisters who welcome them with love and a lavish meal.
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Post by Stevewebb on Nov 14, 2012 14:06:17 GMT
Steve, were you planning to start a thread on Diwali? Really? Cool mate I live near several towns that have large immigrant populations from all over India so Diwali is kind of a big thing around here too. So much so that it is actually on the syllabus for the school kids to learn about.  |
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janis
Working With A Pro
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 898
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Post by janis on Nov 14, 2012 14:34:11 GMT
Thanks for the research, Chris; now I see it is not too late to add my wishes for a Happy Diwali. Do share more visuals, Sahil.
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Post by mariehass on Nov 14, 2012 22:15:25 GMT
Belated, but Happy Diwali. What a beautiful picture!!!!!
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sahil
Senior Member
Posts: 142
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Post by sahil on Nov 15, 2012 5:41:54 GMT
Wow.. Thats some good research work, Chris! I am impressed. I am a Jain. My family celebrates it for the Jain reason, in the day time & then we light clay pots, candles & burn crackers etc. in the night. Its fun. Lots of gift exchanges, gambling etc.etc. And Steve, that's interesting & delighting to know that Diwali is a big thing at places too. And (don't shoot me for this) I don't have any more pictures of Diwali to share  May be some family pictures which I am yet to go through and will share in sometime. |
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Post by The Wirefox on Nov 15, 2012 17:32:53 GMT
Happy Diwali Sahil
Yep Britain is pretty multi-cultural, more so than the States in some ways and certainly more so than our European neighbours. My wifes's boyfriend is Moslem so she has to buy meat killed the correct way (halal) and there are many places you can buy it too. We even have a Tesco that does it. It makes for some very interesting cultural microcosms, especially in the cities. My kids also learn about all the mainstream religions they will encounter in the region.
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sahil
Senior Member
Posts: 142
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Post by sahil on Nov 16, 2012 5:32:56 GMT
Wife's boyfriend?!
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Post by The Wirefox on Nov 16, 2012 6:40:11 GMT
Well he's not mine ;D. We separated, No not me and her boyfriend me and her...I am not really into tattooed Turkish body builders. This probably sounds far more complicated than it actually is  My partner is Seri...from this very forum |
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