Religion & Spirituality - 20 October 2006

The very name of this festival 'Deepavali' suggests the meaning of this festival. It is all about the light coming out of a tiny diya that is called 'Deep' in Hindi. Later the term 'Deepawali' became 'Divali'. Deepawali or Diwali is also known as 'the festival of lights' because on this day there is light and light everywhere. Diwali is celebrated usually in the month of October or November.

Diwali falls on the day of 'Amavasyaa' when the moon does not rise and there is darkness all around. Light, being symbol of hope and positive things, indicates the victory of good over evil. And by spreading light in every corner of our premises we try to destroy the reign of darkness on the night of diwali.

It is a tradition to light our homes and offices on diwali. People decorate their premises with diyas, electric bulbs series and other decorative electric items to make their surroundings filled with colorful light and to make it bright and beautiful. After all the ultimate beauty created by lighting all over is the main feature that makes this festival unique.

Divali Significance

Dipavali is the Indian festival that brings a series of festivals with it. One after another we get a chance to celebrate five festivals together. The people of all age groups and classes with equal zeal and enthusiasm celebrate Diwali throughout India. They put on new apparels and participate in the various activities that are related to Diwali celebrations.

Diwali is not only a festival of celebrations such as lightings, crackers, cleanliness, colorful rangoli making, social gatherings to exchange greetings and sharing sweets with your loved ones but it is also a festival that is filled with spiritualism and religious activities such as worship of Goddess Lakshmi, worship of Lord Ganesha, worship of Mother Kali, worship of Lord Chitragupta and worship of Govardhan Parvat. The Diwali festival is all about lots of shopping, happiness, togetherness and almost one week's holiday.

The celebration of the five-day long festival, diwali begins on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdashi and concludes on Kartika Shudha Vijaya. The first day of this festival begins with 'Dhan Trayodashi' or 'Dhanteras'. After the Dhanvantari Trayodashi the second day of diwali is 'Narak Chaturdashi', which is popular as 'Chhoti Diwali'. The third day of diwali, which is also called 'Badi Diwali' is the main day of celebrations of the festival of diwali. People perform Lakshmi Pujan (worship of divine Goddess Lakshmi) on this day and offer prayers to Her to bless them with wealth and prosperity. The fourth day of diwali is devoted to Govardhan Pooja (worship of Lord Govardhan Parvat). The fifth day of the diwali is Bhai Dooj, the time to honour the brother-sister relationship.

The day of Dipavali has special significance for the business community as they consider this day to be the perfect time to begin their new financial year. Some people also indulge in gambling on the day of diwali because it is a believed that wife of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati played dice with Him on this day and therefore those, who gamble on this auspicious day, are blessed with prosperity.

2006-10-20 06:14:05 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

Evolutionist, I give up. I am convinced that you must have come from apes.
If you do take offense to it, Why?

2006-10-20 06:12:34 · 21 answers · asked by Red Yeti 5

2006-10-20 06:07:51 · 13 answers · asked by Aspurtaime Dog Sneeze 6

can children who are 6 years old have jinn on them? if so how can you tell if they are possed in uncertain terms?

2006-10-20 06:06:39 · 12 answers · asked by hoffnerhooper 2

Coordinates would be great.

2006-10-20 06:05:32 · 31 answers · asked by adrixia 4

It is raining where I am at.

2006-10-20 06:05:26 · 13 answers · asked by Mitchell B 4

some one tell me cos that is wierd ?????????????/

2006-10-20 06:02:30 · 9 answers · asked by sisterly love 2

2006-10-20 06:00:48 · 20 answers · asked by sisterly love 2

Was he some sort of chicken, or did he have some speacial talent for talking his way out of everything.

Matthew 4:1

1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'[a]"

5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
" 'He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'[b]"

7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'[c]"

What a cop out

2006-10-20 05:57:48 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous

Yes, I mean "ignostic."

2006-10-20 05:57:12 · 13 answers · asked by Aspurtaime Dog Sneeze 6

2006-10-20 05:56:58 · 39 answers · asked by Anonymous

I am a christian and I take no part in it. I dont pass out candy or anything. I have 2 babies and I will not allow them to either.

2006-10-20 05:54:52 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous

I love all humans
I love the Universe
I dont condemn you to hell
I dont think i am the only "Right" Person on YA
I love rivers, trees, animals, jungles, mountains
I know we are all treading towards Truth
I know Evolution is Truth..and i know creation is also not wrong
I respect science and all religions/faiths
I wish peace in world... but i am ready to fight if forced
I dont think Jabba, Jim, Debra, Marissa etc are devils.
I love you even if you dont love me...because you are nothing but ME in another body !!

2006-10-20 05:51:35 · 33 answers · asked by ۞Aum۞ 7

And which one is renound world-wide for human rights violations particularly targeting women?

2006-10-20 05:50:31 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous

Matthew 1:24
24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus

2006-10-20 05:49:10 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous

who are you or me or anybody else to make a final decision on whats good and whats evil?

i've heard people say well god shouldnt do this or that or if god was really so good then he'd blah blah blah

we are so low on the food chain and so ignorant that were ignorant of our own ignorance how can anyones words stand againts gods


if you count your past lives then your probably 900 years old tops

gods FAR older than that and is more wise how is it any of us feel were in position to say whats good and whats evil

2006-10-20 05:48:50 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous

becose it is writen
1Cr 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

1Cr 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

2006-10-20 05:46:46 · 26 answers · asked by ame XY 1

for those of you who may believe,,,,,,would you get a vibe of dread and fear if a demon visited you,,or not necessarily,,,,I had a visitation 5 years ago

2006-10-20 05:45:29 · 25 answers · asked by betty 1

18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.


Dont these 2 verses in such close proximity with each other contradict themselves. this makes no sense. help me out here

2006-10-20 05:44:50 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous

what would you do if a group of forigners attack your country,take it over,destroy your house,rape you,kill your parents,abuse your children,insult your beliefs and call you a terrorist for protecting yourself in your own homeland as well?will you sit on your hands and do nothing?and watch them stealling your oil and gold? If you try to get rid of them and you blow one of them up does it mean you're a terrorist or your religion is the religion of war and is full of violence?If so why there were not any before they attacked you?what else would you do if you were in such a terrible situation?
I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO REDIFINE TERRORISM AND VIOLENCE.

2006-10-20 05:44:28 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous

We hear all this stuff about God doing this that and the next thing but what is he/she/it exactly and why has it not made itself known or be seen. Surely if he/she/it really was then maybe at some point in the last 2000 or so years they would have made themselves known to try and stop all the religious wars that have gone on

2006-10-20 05:44:26 · 23 answers · asked by poli_b2001 5

2006-10-20 05:44:20 · 7 answers · asked by ? 1

2006-10-20 05:41:07 · 20 answers · asked by Big hands Big feet 7

I was just wondering if referring to a Jewish person as a "Jew" was offensive to them? I've never done it, but i've heard others say it...even one of my Professors. So, I wasn't sure. I just assumed since it was so widely used, that Jewish people don't have a problem with it. However, the word "Jew" has never sat right with me...it just doesn't sound right. Also, I was wondering if Jesus really was called "The King of Jews" in the Bible? Is it offensive, or is that the right term? Just wondering.

2006-10-20 05:40:41 · 20 answers · asked by LibraT 4

This is just something I was told, and I want to know if it's true. For starters, I will not change my religion, so don't bother asking me to.

My question is this. I heard that the Qua'ran was written in two different periods of Mohhamad's life. The first part, the one that talks about Jihad and death to all unbelievers, was when Mohhamad was at war and in the beginning of his ministry. The second part was written while he was at peace and talks about peace.

Is this true? If so, then that means that the extremists are only following half of their prophet's teachings, right?

2006-10-20 05:40:20 · 17 answers · asked by sister steph 6

As you should know there are tens of thousands of Muslims living in France,

The separation of church and state requires that women take off the hijab (headscarf) because it is a symbol of worship of their religion, such as someone wearing a huge wooden crucifix around their neck to school (which is not permitted).
Do you think we should just continue to single out Christians for their subtle worship or make it fair and not allow Muslims Blatent worship?

2006-10-20 05:39:48 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-10-20 05:39:03 · 23 answers · asked by proscunio 3

tho shall not kill, does this appilie for bulling?

2006-10-20 05:39:00 · 6 answers · asked by timi k 1

is zabibu a name and what does it mean.

2006-10-20 05:37:30 · 5 answers · asked by spring 1

"Religion is the opiate of the people." Provervial, Blasphemous and Marx. want to write your own theory? I'd love for you to share.

2006-10-20 05:37:16 · 8 answers · asked by sophie 1