Did You Know?
1) For Sikhs, Diwali is prominent because it celebrates the release from jail of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind ji, and 52 other princes from the Gwalior Fort in 1619. The Sikhs celebrated the return of Guru Hargobind ji by lighting the Golden Temple and this tradition has been carried on till today.
2) For Jains, Diwali is prominent as the Jain year starts with
Pratipada following the festival of lights.
3) Though not in large numbers, Buddhists including Newar Buddhists celebrate Diwali through chanting of mantras and remembering Emperor Ashoka who converted to Buddhism on this day. Therefore, Buddhists term the day of Diwali as Ashok Vijayadashmi.
4) Diwali marks the end of the harvest season in most of India. Farmers thank God for the bounty provided to them and pray for a good harvest in the future. Different sections of society – no matter what their financial status is:
Lakshmi Puja is performed to gain wealth and prosperity from the goddess of wealth,
Lakshmi.
5) It is a national holiday in India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad, Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji – on the day of Diwali.
Geeta Chhabra
