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1. Diwali

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Diwali
The spiritual significance behind Diwali is
‘inner awareness’, an idea that all three reli-
gions follow. Lighting lamps is symbolic to
shedding light on ignorance in an effort to illu-
minate ones self to a greater consciousness.
Diwali or Deepawali, is also known as the‘festival of light’. It is
an Indian festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs with
great enthusiasm but for different reasons. In each of the three
beliefs the common attribute is a celebration of the triumph of
good over evil. Lights illuminate all corners of India during the
Diwali season and it is a time for a focus on community.

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Diwali
The central event behind Hindus celebrating Diwali is
to mark the day that Rama returned to Ayodhya after
14 years in exile with his wife Sita. To welcome their
return, the people of Ayodhya lit diyas (ghee lamps) to
guide them from the dark forest into the city.
Another event that is associated with Diwali is a pas-
sage from the Puranas that says it was during this time
that Krishna’s wife Sathyabhama, an incarnation of the
earth goddess Bhumi, killed the powerful daemon
Narakasura that was terrorising his subjects.
Hinduism

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Jainism
Diwali
Diwali is also significant to the Jains because it
marks the day after Lord Mahavira attained nir-
vana in 527 BC. It is said that he was released
from his worldly body on the night of the full
moon. So the people of Pavapuri, where he
attained nirvana, lit lamps in their doorways as
a symbol of their guru’s enlightenment.

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Sikhs
Diwali
For Sikhs, this festival is important because it cel-
ebrates the release of Guru Hargobindji along
with 52 Indian kings who were imprisoned along
with him at the Gwalior fort by Emperor Shah
Jahan in 1619. For this reason, the festival is
known to the Sikhs as Bandi Chorr Diwas mean-
ing the day of deliverance from prison.
As Dussehra marks the beginning of the harvest
season, Diwali marks its end. It is a time of plenty
and farmers give thanks for the bountiful harvest
and pray for a year of plenty. They offer their
prayers to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, pros-
perity, and wisdom, by doing the Lakshmi Puja.

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Many religions and traditions use fire and light in their
traditions.
Can you find 3 other examples of festivals where light
plays a central role in the festivities?
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Diwali
Houses are cleaned thoroughly to prepare for
the puja and rangolis are drawn at the en-
trance of houses to welcome Lakshmi into
their homes. On this day and during the entire
Diwali season people light fire crackers.