JOYOUS HINDU FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS TO BEGIN TODAY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION PLANNED IN THE VALLEY.Byline: HOLLY J. ANDRES Staff Writer NORTHRIDGE -- Good over evil and prosperity for a new year, get- togethers, gift-giving and an abundance of Indian sweets Indian sweets or Mithai, consist of many different kinds of milk, sugar and flour-based confectioneries originating from the Indian sub-continent. Indians sweets are normally very rich in sugar and fat and take a long time to prepare. come together in the joyous joy·ous adj. Feeling or causing joy; joyful. See Synonyms at glad1. joy  ous·ly adv. five-day Hindu holiday of Diwali, which begins today. Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is considered the most important Hindu holiday. It always falls in the Hindu month of Kartik, in October or November, and starts on the day of the new moon. The symbol of Diwali is small clay lamps called diyas. Diyas, traditionally filled with oil but now more often a tea light candle, are lit at home and at Hindu temples A Hindu temple is called Mandir or Kovil or Devasthanam or Dega (Nepal Bhasa). It is usually dedicated to a primary deity, called the presiding deity, and other deities associated with the main deity. . The festival's name is derived from a Sanskrit word, Deepavali. ``Deepa'' means light and ``Avali'' means a row: a row of lights. ``Diwali recalls the coming home of God, Rama, during the night of no moon. Everyone lit diyas to light his way home,'' said Alka Amar, who usually lights at least a dozen in the entryway of her home. ``The mood of Diwali is happy, exciting. In India, you would see and hear a lot of firecrackers.'' The back story to Diwali actually starts 20 days earlier, with the observance of Dussehra. Dussehra is considered the time when Lord Rama, the avatar of God, defeated Ravana, a demon. Lord Rama then journeyed home to his kingdom, after spending many years as an exile in a forest. The re-enactment of the life story of Lord Rama comes alive as street theater street theater n. Dramatization of social and political issues, usually enacted outside, as on the street or in a park. Also called guerrilla theater. Noun 1. in India. Harish Amar has fond memories of playing a character in the story when he was growing up in the Indian state of Punjab. ``That is a very distinctive memory for me that is connected up with the celebration of Diwali. There might be three to four re-enactments in different neighborhoods in a city,'' Harish Amar said. ``The whole neighborhood would come to watch. Personally, I wish to see this be presented here.'' Rama's story is recounted in an epic called the Ramayana. It is written in Sanskrit and includes not only the adventurous ad·ven·tur·ous adj. 1. Inclined to undertake new and daring enterprises. 2. Hazardous; risky. ad·ven story but also moral teachings. A version of the Ramayana, along with diyas and flowers will be found on Hindu home altars during Diwali. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, purity and knowledge, has a major role in the celebration of Diwali. Her image or statue representation will also be found on Hindu altars. ``The story is that Lakshmi came into the world on this day and that is why we pray to this goddess. The darkest night is when Lakshmi visits and she is pleased to come to homes where there is maximum light,'' said Harish Amar. ``The symbolic meaning when we light the diyas is that we are saying goodbye to injustice, fear, bigotry Bigotry See also Anti-Semitism. Beaumanoir, Sir Lucas de prejudiced ascetic; Grand Master of Templars. [Br. Lit.: Ivanhoe] Bunker, Archie middle-aged bigot in television series. , greed Greed See also Stinginess. Almayer’s Folly lust for gold leads to decline. [Br. Lit.: Almayer’s Folly] Alonso Shakespearean symbol of avarice. [Br. Lit. , lust Lust See also Profligacy, Promiscuity. Aeshma fiend of evil passion. [Iranian Myth.: Leach, 17] Aholah and Aholibah lusty whores; bedded from Egypt to Babylon. [O.T.: Ezekiel 23:1–21] Alcina lustful fairy. [Ital. , envy Envy See also Jealousy. Amneris envious of Aida. [Ital. Opera: Verdi, Aida, Westerman, 325] Cinderella’s sisters envious of their sister’s beauty. , anger and violence,'' Harish Amar said. ``We're inviting knowledge and wishing darkness would go away.'' Diwali is also Hindu New Year. It's a good omen to have everything clean in your home and business. Prayers are said to Lakshmi asking for prosperity. A major part of Diwali are the get-togethers with family and friends. Indian sweets, dried fruits and nuts are exchanged. Diwali, for some families, is a time to give presents that might include clothes and jewelry jewelry, personal adornments worn for ornament or utility, to show rank or wealth, or to follow superstitious custom or fashion. The most universal forms of jewelry are the necklace, bracelet, ring, pin, and earring. . To the non-Hindu community, Diwali might be the most well known of Hindu holidays. With its similarities to the spiritual messages found in Hanukkah and Christmas, Diwali is a golden opportunity for learning more about Hinduism. ``I never thought I would speak about Hinduism at so many events or for students. I enjoy educating people about Hinduism,'' said Harish Amar. ``What's the main question I get? `How come you have so many gods?' The answer is we believe in one God but the people have visualized the many different qualities of God. ``But, you know, the biggest idea of Hinduism is karma. The result of doing good deeds deed n. 1. Something that is carried out; an act or action. 2. A usually praiseworthy act; a feat or exploit. 3. Action or performance in general: Deeds, not words, matter most. is a very important element in the Ramayana.'' Indian New Year celebration, beginning with morning prayers at 6:30 Sunday, Valley Hindu Temple A Hindu temple (Sanskrit: mandira), is a house of worship for followers of Hinduism. They are usually specifically reserved for religious and spiritual activities. A Hindu temple can be a separate structure or a part of a building. , 18700 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge. Annukut prayers at 12:30 p.m.; evening celebration begins at 3; prayers at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner. Call (818) 772-7736. holly.andres(at)dailynews.com (818) 713-3708 CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Alka Amar and her daughter Shivani hold trays of candles called diyas in their Chatsworth home Thursday to celebrate Diwali, marking Lord Rama's defeat over Ravana, a demon. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News |
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