Association of Indians in America (AIA) celebrates
Diwali, the festival of lights
Diwali, the festival of lights
Diwali or the Festival of Lights is an important five-day
holiday among Hindus and Sikhs. To Hindus, Diwali is the
day Lord Rama returns to his kingdom after defeating the
demon Ravana (in the epic Ramayana). To Sikhs, Diwali
celebrates Guru Har Gobind’s return to Amritsar after
liberating Hindu kings imprisoned by Emperor Jahangir. The
lighting of lamps during Diwali signifies triumph over evil, and
devotees celebrate the festival similar to how Christians
celebrate Christmas.
The Association of Indians in America (AIA) hosted the local
Diwali celebration at Oregon High School on October 10.
Hundreds of attendees were all dressed up in their best
clothes, and the cultural program featured children, youth and
adults performing well-rehearsed numbers, as a way to thank
the gods for their blessings, and to showcase the Indian
community’s talents and traditions. After the program, people
shared a sumptuous dinner catered by a popular Indian
restaurant.
Diwali brought to light the close bond of the Indian
community in the Madison area and their awesome effort to
keep their cultural and spiritual traditions alive in this part of
the world. — Heidi M. Pascual
holiday among Hindus and Sikhs. To Hindus, Diwali is the
day Lord Rama returns to his kingdom after defeating the
demon Ravana (in the epic Ramayana). To Sikhs, Diwali
celebrates Guru Har Gobind’s return to Amritsar after
liberating Hindu kings imprisoned by Emperor Jahangir. The
lighting of lamps during Diwali signifies triumph over evil, and
devotees celebrate the festival similar to how Christians
celebrate Christmas.
The Association of Indians in America (AIA) hosted the local
Diwali celebration at Oregon High School on October 10.
Hundreds of attendees were all dressed up in their best
clothes, and the cultural program featured children, youth and
adults performing well-rehearsed numbers, as a way to thank
the gods for their blessings, and to showcase the Indian
community’s talents and traditions. After the program, people
shared a sumptuous dinner catered by a popular Indian
restaurant.
Diwali brought to light the close bond of the Indian
community in the Madison area and their awesome effort to
keep their cultural and spiritual traditions alive in this part of
the world. — Heidi M. Pascual
| Asian Wiz' AIA Diwali video: |