Happy Diwali

10.02.21am GMT Tue 1st Nov 2005

Diwali celebrations

Today is Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights and is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. The festival of Diwali extends over five days and celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.

Although the date of Diwali is set by the Hindu calendar and is the New Year festival in the Vikrama calendar, where it falls on the night of the new moon in the month of Kartika. It is also celebrated as a Sikh festival celebrating the laying of the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar on Diwali in 1577 and also the release from prison of the sixth guru, Hargobind Singh in 1619. Jains celebrate the attaining of Moksha (Nirvana, or eternal bliss) by the founder of Jainism, Lord Mahavira.

Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating.

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