Festival of Lights (Xmas not Diwali this time)

Good Monday morning!  I had a great time with family and friends this weekend.  What about you?  Friday night, we went to the festival lights in downtown Greensboro (yes, Greensboro actually has a downtown) with a few friends, S., and my parents.  It really was fun to see so many Greensborians (?) gathered together to celebrate in the holiday spirit. 

My parents and I at the lighting of the Christmas tree.  Don't hate on my awesome antlers.

Greensboro went all out.  Soap snow in 50 degree weather!

My best friend, Neema, joins in the fun.  Ooh!  That's my office building in the background.

My mom NEVER looks at the camera.

 

After Friday, S. and I went to my office holiday party Saturday night, and then I got to hang out with another best friend, Deepti, on Sunday evening.  We always have a good old giggly time when we get together, and it reminded me of how much fun we had last year in NYC celebrating my 26th birthday.

Deepti, me, and Neema in NYC on my 26th.

 

Hope you had just as good a weekend as me!

Happy Diwali!

Happy Diwali everyone!  Known as the "Festival of Lights," Diwali is a celebration incorporating many faiths across India.  Straight from Wikipedia:

 

"The name "Diwali" or "Divali" is a contraction of "Deepavali" (Sanskrit: दीपावली Dīpāvalī), which translates into "row of lamps". Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (dīpa in Sanskrit: दीप) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil.  These lamps are kept on during the night and one's house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome.  Firecrackers are burst because it is believed that it drives away evil spirits. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends."

 

 

 

 

In Hinduism, there are a variety of reasons to celebrate, based on where you live in India.

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 Jainism, Diwali marks the celebration of Mahavir Bhagwan's attainment of nirvana in 527 B.C.E.  

 

 

 

In Sikhism, the celebration of Diwali is celebrated because it rejoices the time when the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind singh was released from his imprisonment.

 

 

 

 For whatever reason you celebrate, the end goal is to celebrate the triumph of good over evil.  Oh, and to light a lot of candles, set off fireworks, eat tons of dessert, and spend some much needed QT with your family. 

 

HAPPY DIWALI!