What date is Diwali and New Years day this year?

Question

There seems to be some confusion as to when these two days fall in the Indian Calendar

Answer 1

10/21 is Diwali and 10/11 is new year...we have 35 thousand Indians in Cary, Morrisville North Carolina...we have a very large festival..

Answer 2

if you look on yahoo greetings it will give you the date

Answer 3

look on yahoo greetings

Answer 4

Who do you think I am,.. Mahatma Burns?

Answer 5

New Years Celebrations Around the World

by Rachel Webb

All around the world people celebrate the coming of a new year and time with traditions from their country. Although the celebrations are not always held on the same day, they often include traditions of religious celebrations, special prayers and blessings, beautiful costume parties and parades of celebration. Not just a holiday of merriment many countries have customs of forgiveness, and practices said to bring good luck and fortune in the new year. Learning about the traditions practiced in other cultures is a fun way to gain respect and acceptance for others sometimes appear different then we are. It is also a positive step to teaching children to be non-prejudice in a fun way as well.

Ecuador

In South America "Ano Viejo" is celebrated by creating a fake person or dummy. The scarecrow looking person will be completely dressed and stuffed with old newspapers and firecrackers. The dummy is usually placed outside the home. He represents something that happened during the last year. At midnight each family lights the dummy on fire. As the dummy goes up in smoke the firecrackers also go off to add to the festivities. The old year is forgotten and the new year begins.

Our family decided to use this idea in our own American celebrations. We found that we did not always have old clothing we wanted to burn so instead we burn our old Christmas tree at midnight!

Iranian "No Ruz"

Lasting 13 days, "No Ruz" (pronounced no ROOZ) begins in March because spring begins in March. People plant miniature container gardens and receive new clothing to eat a special meal of eggs and pilaf. This meal is believed to bring them good luck. Friends go visiting and bring gifts of fruit, flowers and colored eggs. They gather together to watch for special things to happen at midnight. For example, the eggs are put on a mirror to see if they shake. The belief is that the New Year starts when the eggs begin to shake. People kiss each other and say "May you live for a hundred years". Iranians also study from the Koran, their holy book and worship God.

On the last day of the celebrations known as "Sizbah Bi Dar" people take picnics to the country where they throw the garden containers into a stream or water to signify throwing away their bad luck.

Hindu Religious Celebrations

In India, the Hindus have a New Year celebration four times a year to welcome each of the four seasons. Diwali is one of the New Year festivals held at the beginning of autumn. They believe that the Hindu goddess of good luck visits homes that are brightly lit. Children make "dipas" which are small clay lamps to light and bring the good luck goddess to their home so they can receive new clothes and toys. One family may have many thousand of these little lights decorating their home.

The first day of Diwali is also a New Year of Business" all companies pay of debts and their cars are decorated with flowers and palm leaves to bless the vehicles to run well in the new year.

Jewish New Year

The Jews have two New Year celebrations. One for the country and one for the Jewish New Year known as Rosh Hashanah which is usually held in September. It lasts one or two days beginning at sundown on one day and ending at sundown as well. People recite a blessing called "Kiddush" over wine and egg bread called "callah". The callah is shaped like a crown to symbolize that God is in heaven, it is also smooth to bring hope for a smooth new year.

Worshipping at the synagogue a ram's horn or "shofar" is blown to remind people to think about their past year of sins and pray for forgiveness. Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of 10 days of prayer and worship that leads into Yom Kippur where they worship god and pray to become better people in the new year.

Vietnam (Tet Nguyen Day)

Known as "Tet" for short, the Vietnam New Year also changes the date that it is celebrated. The Vietnamese people believe that they live with different gods in their homes that keep track of their deeds as well as protecting the family. Before Tet begins they give presents to their gods so that when they leave for heaven to give their report on the people the gods will look favorable upon them. They send off their gods with a fireworks display.

The celebrations last for 3 days in which time the Vietnamese people light candles to honor their deceased relatives which they believe return during Tet. Everyone must remain happy during Tet to ward off bad luck in the upcoming new year.

Chinese New Year

The Chinese new year and the Vietnamese "Tet" traditions are very similar. In Chinese culture, Tsao-Chun is the name of their Kitchen God who also travels to heaven to report of their deeds. Homes are cleaned spotless and decorated appease the Kitchen God. On New Years Day gifts are exchanged and some homes make a "money tree" which is decorated with old coins and paper flowers. The third day of celebrations, the Lion Dance begins and continues until the fifth day. Men dress in lion costumes and dance in a parade. Dancers climb on top of each other to form a human ladder to reach "lucky money" that is tied in high places.

The Dragon Dance is also held on the third day of the New Year. Paper-mache dragon heads are made with long fabric bodies. It takes several men to maneuver the dragon through the streets. Families open their doors to let the dragon bring luck into their homes. The color red is a lucky color and can be found prominently throughout the celebrations. Firecrackers are thought to scare away the evil spirit Shan-sau so the celebrations are very noisy with people shouting and drums beating too.

The Chinese also believe believe that each year was named after one of twelve animals. Each animal has different habits, strengths and weaknesses. The year you were born tells you which animal you resemble according to Buddha.

Greece

In Greece, St. Basil fills the children's shoes with presents at midnight.

Denmark

It is a good sign to find your door heaped with a pile of broken dishes at New Years. Old dishes are saved year around to throw them at the homes where their friends live on New Years Eve. Many broken dishes were a symbol that you have many friends!

Japanese New Year

People in Japan spend weeks planning for their New Year celebrations. They buy special food and make decorations for their front door out of pine branches, bamboo and ropes that are believed to bring health and long life. Fan ropes are also hung over the doors and roofs with seaweed or ferns to bring them happiness and good luck. Children receive "otoshidamas" which are small gifts with money inside. They also send New Year cards to their friends and hold forgetting-year parties to say goodbye to the old year. They also forgive friends and family for any misunderstandings and disagreements they may have had that year so they can make a clean start of the new year. On December 31st bells are rung 108 times to chase away 108 troubles. The people all laugh after the gongs because laughter will drive away the bad spirits. With all the bad spirits gone and troubles and enemies forgiven, they enjoy a day of celebration.

Good Luck Traditions

As you can see many countries have traditions that they believe will bring good luck for the new year. In Puerto Rico children enjoy throwing pails of water out the window at midnight. Some believe that this rids their home of any evil spirits!

In Spain when the clock strikes midnight the people eat 12 grapes. One grape for every stroke of the clock to represent each month in the year. Each grape is said to bring good luck in the new year.

Switzerland believes good luck comes from letting a drop of cream land on the floor New Years Day. While in France people eat a stack of pancakes for luck and good health. Belgium farmers wish their animals a Happy New Year for blessings.

Armenian women cook a special bread for their family. The bread is kneaded with luck and good wishes pressed into the dough before it is cooked.

In Northern Portugal children go caroling from home to home and are given treats and coins. They sing old songs or "Janeiro's" which is said to bring good luck.

Romanians had a tradition of listening to hear if the farm animals talked on New Years Day. If the animals talked it was considered bad luck so they are relived when they do not hear any talking animals.

In Bolivia families make beautiful little wood or straw dolls to hang outside their homes to bring good luck.


Celebration of each new year is probably one of the oldest holidays known to man. New Year wasn't always celebrated on the first of January. That's a relatively new trend, and even today is only true for some religions and cultures. Chinese New Year is celebrated on a different date each year. Rosh Hashannah, the Jewish new year, is celebrated in September. India's New Year, Diwali, is celebrated in October. Over 4,000 years ago, the ancient Babylonians celebrated the new year in March, with feasting and parties outdoors.

Today, in Persia, people might still go on a picnic, because in Iran (also called Persia), the New Year (called Nowruz) is celebrated on the first day of spring, and is a great deal of fun. Haji Firuz, in a red hat and coat, plays his little drum and sings songs. The food is terrific. The mood wonderful - Persian New Year is a 13 day good time, with a great deal of history and charm!

The Japanese celebrate New Year's on January 1st. They also celebrate it on January 2nd and January 3rd. In Japan, this holiday is known as Shougastu (New Year's Days). It is a three day celebration, and one of the most important celebrations of the year. One of their traditions is to send friends and neighbors special new year's cards. These beautiful cards are mailed before the new year, but they are not delivered by the post office right away. The post office holds all new year's cards. On January 1st, the post office delivers all of these cards, all over Japan, all on the same day.

Some of the New Year's traditions we enjoy today have been around for quite a while. It was the ancient Greeks, over 2,000 years ago, who started the tradition of honoring the first baby born in each new year! The New Year, whenever it occurs, is celebrated as a time of rebirth, a chance to sweep out the old and to start anew.

The New Year is a great time to learn about calendars, clocks, and New Year's traditions around the world.
Tuesday 4 October

Navaratri (start)

Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.

Tuesday 1 November

Diwali

The Hindu festival of lights, which extends over five days. Because of the lights, fireworks, and sweets involved it's a great favourite with children. Also shared by Sikhs and Jains.

Hindu calendar for 2006
Saturday 14 January

Makar Sankrant

Makar Sankrant is the first Hindu festival of the solar calendar year, falling around January 14. It falls at a time when the Sun enters the Zodiac sign of Makar (Capricorn) and when the day and night are of equal duration. Days become longer from this point on so it is a time for celebration.

Thursday 2 February

Vasant Panchami

Dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. The festival marks the beginning of Spring.

Sunday 26 February

Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity.

Monday 13 March

Bikarami Samvat - Varsha-Pratipada

The Hindu Spring New Year celebrated particularly in South India. Diwali, another Hindu New Year, is the more popular in the UK.

Tuesday 14 March

Holi

The Hindu spring festival.

Thursday 6 April

Rama Navami

Birthday of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana

Thursday 13 April

Hanuman Jayanti

This festival marks the birth of Hanuman, the Monkey God.

Wednesday 9 August

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. "Raksha Bandhan" means a thread for protection.

Wednesday 16 August

Janmashtami - Krishna Jayanti

The Janamashtami festival marks the birth of Krishna, the most highly venerated God in the Hindu pantheon.

Sunday 27 August

Ganesh Chaturthi

Hindus celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed God.

Saturday 23 September

Navaratri (start)

Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.

Monday 2 October

Dussera

Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana.

Saturday 21 October

Diwali

The Hindu festival of lights, which extends over five days. Because of the lights, fireworks, and sweets involved it's a great favourite with children. Also shared by Sikhs and Jains.

Hindu calendar for 2007
Sunday 14 January

Makar Sankrant

Makar Sankrant is the first Hindu festival of the solar calendar year, falling around January 14. It falls at a time when the Sun enters the Zodiac sign of Makar (Capricorn) and when the day and night are of equal duration. Days become longer from this point on so it is a time for celebration.

Tuesday 23 January

Vasant Panchami

Dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. The festival marks the beginning of Spring.

Friday 16 February

Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity.

Saturday 3 March

Holi

The Hindu spring festival.

Monday 19 March

Bikarami Samvat - Varsha-Pratipada

The Hindu Spring New Year celebrated particularly in South India. Diwali, another Hindu New Year, is the more popular in the UK.

Tuesday 27 March

Rama Navami

Birthday of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana

Monday 2 April

Hanuman Jayanti

This festival marks the birth of Hanuman, the Monkey God.

Tuesday 28 August

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. "Raksha Bandhan" means a thread for protection.

Tuesday 4 September

Janmashtami - Krishna Jayanti

The Janamashtami festival marks the birth of Krishna, the most highly venerated God in the Hindu pantheon.

Saturday 15 September

Ganesh Chaturthi

Hindus celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed God.

Thursday 11 October

Navaratri (start)

Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.

Sunday 21 October

Dussera

Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana.

Friday 9 November

Diwali

The Hindu festival of lights, which extends over five days. Because of the lights, fireworks, and sweets involved it's a great favourite with children. Also shared by Sikhs and Jains.

Hindu calendar for 2008
Monday 14 January

Makar Sankrant

Makar Sankrant is the first Hindu festival of the solar calendar year, falling around January 14. It falls at a time when the Sun enters the Zodiac sign of Makar (Capricorn) and when the day and night are of equal duration. Days become longer from this point on so it is a time for celebration.

Monday 11 February

Vasant Panchami

Dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and Brahma's wife. The festival marks the beginning of Spring.

Thursday 6 March

Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity.

Friday 21 March

Holi

The Hindu spring festival.

Sunday 6 April

Bikarami Samvat - Varsha-Pratipada

The Hindu Spring New Year celebrated particularly in South India. Diwali, another Hindu New Year, is the more popular in the UK.

Monday 14 April

Rama Navami

Birthday of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana

Saturday 19 April

Hanuman Jayanti

This festival marks the birth of Hanuman, the Monkey God.

Saturday 16 August

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. "Raksha Bandhan" means a thread for protection.

Sunday 24 August

Janmashtami - Krishna Jayanti

The Janamashtami festival marks the birth of Krishna, the most highly venerated God in the Hindu pantheon.

Wednesday 3 September

Ganesh Chaturthi

Hindus celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed God.

Monday 29 September

Navaratri (start)

Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.

Thursday 9 October

Dussera

Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana.

Tuesday 28 October

Diwali

The Hindu festival of lights, which extends over five days. Because of the lights, fireworks, and sweets involved it's a great favourite with children. Also shared by Sikhs and Jains.

Hindu calendar for 2009
Wednesday 14 January

Makar Sankrant

Makar Sankrant is the first Hindu festival of the solar calendar year, falling around January 14. It falls at a time when the Sun enters the Zodiac sign of Makar (Capricorn) and when the day and night are of equal duration. Days become longer from this point on so it is a time for celebration.

Friday 3 April

Rama Navami

Birthday of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu and the hero of the Ramayana

Wednesday 5 August

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love. "Raksha Bandhan" means a thread for protection.

Saturday 19 September

Navaratri (start)

Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of autumn.