short ppt on festival of light : diwali

1. DIWALI : FESTIVAL OF

2. What is Diwali?
Diwali, also known as Divali or Deepawali,
is a major festival celebrated over five days
in many parts of India by people of different
faiths including many Hindus, Jains, Sikhs,
Muslims and some Buddhists. It is sometimes
referred to as “the festival of lights.”
Many Hindus observe Diwali by lighting small
oil lamps known as ‘diyas’ in honour of Lakshmi,
the goddess of wealth and good fortune.
The lamps symbolize the triumph of light over darkness and evil,
according to Britannica. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

3. How is Diwali celebrated?
The Diwali festival takes place over five days. The first day, Dhanteras, is for
celebrating Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity, youth and
beauty. On this first day, people buy new items such as jewelry, clothing and
utensils and light lamps to welcome Lakshmi, according to India Today.
The second day, known as Chhoti Diwali, Naraka Chaturdasi or Kali
Chaudas, focuses on a story from Hindu mythology about the god Krishna
and his defeat of the demon god Narakasura. On this day, some people put
up twinkling lights to celebrate his victory.
The third day, known as Diwali, Deepawali, or Lakshmi Puja, is the most
important day of the Diwali festival. On this day, people visit family and
friends to feast and exchange sweets and gifts. People also continue to light
lamps and candles to welcome light and prosperity from the goddess
Lakshmi.

4. On the fourth day, known as Govardhan Puja or Padva, some
people in northern India build small piles of cow dung as a symbol
of how Krishna defeated the king of the Hindu gods, Indra, by
lifting up a mountain.
The fifth day, known as Bhai Dooj or Yama Dwitiva, is a day for
brothers and sisters to honor one another. Siblings perform a
ceremony called tilak and pray for one another.
On this final day of Diwali, many people also set off fireworks. In
2017, India’s supreme court banned the sale of fireworks for Diwali
in the capital, Delhi, citing concerns about pollution and air quality,
according to the BBC.

5. What is the meaning of Diwali?
• Diwali has ties to multiple religious stories across several faiths, so the
meanings that people associate with Diwali may vary. In broad terms, it
often represents the triumph of light over darkness.
• In parts of northern India, many people associate Diwali with the ancient
story of King Rama, an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, according
to History.com. According to the legend, Rama rescued his wife, Sita, from
the evil king, Lanka, by building a bridge from India to Sri Lanka.
• Meanwhile, in Gujarat, a state in western India, the fourth day of Diwali
coincides with New Year’s Day according to a Hindu calendar observed in
that region. People celebrate by decorating their homes with lights and
flowers, according to DiwaliFestival.org.
• For non-Hindus, Diwali may have a different significance. For followers of
Jainism, a non-theistic religion in India, Diwali “marks the nirvana or
spiritual awakening of the spiritual leader Mahavira in 527 BCE,” according
to National Geographic. Meanwhile, for followers of Sikhism, Diwali marks
the day that the sixth of the ten Sikh gurus, Guru Hargobind Ji, was
freed from imprisonment in the 17th century.

6. What do people eat during Diwali?
• Diwali is a time for feasting with family and enjoying
plenty of sweet treats. One popular delicacy is kaju katli,
a fudge-like sweet made with ground cashews and
sugar, and sometimes flavored with a touch of rose
water. Another popular treat in northern India is besan
burfi, another kind of fudge-like bar made from flour,
sugar and cardamom and sprinkled with almonds or
pistachios. Jalebi, a kind of sweet fried bread, is also a
popular choice. Basically, it isn’t Diwali without dessert!