Diwali!

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director  12/19/2021

This past November the Franklin Library held an event to celebrate a holiday for the first time. Diwali! They enjoyed a large turnout of about 400 celebrants.

Like so many of our late fall and winter holidays, it is a major festival of light celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. Diwali usually lasts five days and is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika (between mid-October and mid-November). One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali is widely associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, 

Diwali

In the lead-up to Diwali, families will prepare by cleaning, renovating, and decorating their homes and workplaces with diyas (oil lamps) and rangolis (colorful art circle patterns). During Diwali, people dress up their finest clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes with diyas and rangoli, dedicating ceremonies to Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity and wealth, lighting fireworks, and enjoying gatherings with family, friends and feasts where sweets and gifts are shared.

Much about the Diwali celebration sounds familiar. As it should. During these darker days we all seek the same thing: Light, goodness, enlightenment, and the peace and joy that (hopefully) comes to all of us.

Annnnd – I get to add a new holiday icon to my traditional embrace of all below. Happy Diwali – to all.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. 
And, thank you for watching. 

 

holiday collection

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