WYSIWYG

What You See Is What You Get. This is a journal blog, an explore-blog, a bit of this and that blog. Sharing where the mood takes me. Perhaps it will take you too.

MenoFest... Shine a Little Light!!!

Today, you are invited to share in the festival of Deepavali - more commonly known as Diwali - with me, by posting images of lamps or candles and spreading the bond of friendship.

Whilst this festival is celebrated mainly as a Hindu event, in India it cuts across religious boundaries and Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs and even Muslims in most communities will celebrate... in much the same way that many non-Christians will celebrate Christmas. Outwith the religious parts, it is one big party of Love, light, togetherness. It is also akin to New Year in Western culture. A time to reflect on what has gone before and to realign one's thinking with some expectation of improved performance, enhanced beingness, and increased return on one's investment of time and effort in various aspects of life.

Such reflection, it could be argued, ought to be a daily activity. If we deal with such notions on a daily basis they are much more likely to bear fruit than if we attempt only a yearly 'harvest'!

Diwali actually takes place over five days, for the faithful. Some only celebrate over three days. Others will tell you it is four days. These differences come about from the varying traditions which came together in the one festival. In the North, it was the return of Sita-Ram to Ayodhya, in the South it is the victory of Krishna over the demon Naaraka... There is always included a night for devotion to Lakshmi for another twelve months of prosperity as well as the main celebration of the lights. Deepa means light and awali means row.

Rows and rows of lamps (deeyas) are arranged along walls and ledges and windows and cities, towns, villages everywhere seem alive the entire night! Everyone will have purchased at least one new set of clothing to wear for the event. Employers, too, purchase new clothes for their employees. 

Homes will be cleaned thoroughly, coconuts will have been cracked, sweets prepared...  pujas (ceremonies) will be performed in homes and temples and gifts will be given to all who are met. This festival instils charity in the hearts of people, who perform good deeds. On this day, they feed the poor on an incredible scale. Diwali is a unifying event, and it can soften even the hardest of hearts. It is a time when people mingle about in joy and embrace one another.

It is common practice that people forget and forgive the wrongs done by others during Diwali. There is an air of freedom, festivity, and friendliness everywhere. 

The lights of Diwali also signify a time of inner illumination. Hindus believe that the light of lights is the one that steadily shines in the chamber of the heart. Sitting quietly and fixing the mind on this supreme light illuminates the soul. It is an opportunity to cultivate and enjoy eternal bliss.

Even those without spiritual leanings enjoy Diwali, for it brings families and communities together and helps us to focus on being the best that we can be as humans. When one flame touches another, often the resulting illumination is greater than would be imagined from the individual flames themselves...














Now it is your turn. Light up your posts with lamps or candles and shed a little Love through the flames!
This is a linky party for those who are posting specifically for Diwali. Any non-specific links will be removed. A link back to this post would be appreciated but is not compulsory. Entry open for 48 hrs. Thank you for celebrating with me!!!


Some gremlins are riding the ether and the submit button will not show (have tried three reruns!) - so my dears, link up through the comments box and I will add them here... sigh...

17 comments:

  1. I'm set to auto post with mine at 12 midnight, also I'm having trouble with email it won't come up. Maybe it is the same gremlin.
    This is a beautiful post and I thank you for hosting.
    Hugs HiC

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  2. What a beautiful and renewing holiday Diwali is, and we will be shining our lights at 12AM US-CST! I have always seen Autumn as a time for reflection and renewal!

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  3. This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
    Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
    I'm gonna take this light around the world
    And I'm gonna let it shine
    I won't let anyone (pff) it out, I'm gonna let it shine
    I don't know about the light with our mid term elections I think it is kind of a dim light over here.
    Your Friend
    Sweet William The Scot

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  4. That sounds like a beautiful festival. Thank you for telling us about it. We loved how you described it as a time where there is "an air of freedom, festivity, and friendliness everywhere. " Sounds like a very nice kind of place to be.

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  5. Lights always remove the dark of the surroundings and so also the mind. The lights of knowledge put our the fire of ire from human minds. So light is always a guiding entity. You have briefed it very well,Yamini. Nice pictures.

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  6. we join you today to celebrate the light what please should be mighty enough to conquer all darkness...

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  7. Once again, I wish everyone a very happy Diwali!

    What a wonderful way to spread the light in this festive season. This Diwali post is really special. I am all for joining you in this link up.

    Here is a link to my post - https://positivecookies.blogspot.com/2018/11/light-up-because-it-is-diwali.html

    Thank you for hosting such lovely event. It is lots of fun! :)

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  8. I love all your lights and lamps and candles, especially the last 2 at the bottom. this sounds a lot like our New Years with maybe a little of Christmas Joy thrown in. except of course the 4 days or 3 days or 5 days. now that I typed that some do have 12 days of Chrismtas.. anyway Candles make me feel joy, I love them and oil lamps, all things with a flame.

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  9. Happy Diwali and what a wonderful post and photos for the times ~ ^_^

    Happy Day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  10. What a lovely howliday, and such nice timing for it! Our post is at http://savetheboxers.blogspot.com/2018/11/wordless-wednesday.html

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  11. We were honored to join in the "light a candle" event if you want to add us to the list.

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  12. We are happy to share this celebration with you dear friend.

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  13. This is fun. On an Ontario show they had a chef preparing Diwali sweets. They decorated the studio, too.
    I loved sharing festivals of lights with my classes in Nov./Dec. They all had interesting celebrations.

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  14. Wonderful festival. Love all the candles. namaste, janice xx

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  15. Thanks Yamini for this informative write up. I tried to link my post but I didn't find the submission button. Hope you can do something here.

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  16. Like your choice of Diwali images! Good luck!

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  17. I just came out of the desert where there was no cell service so I wasn't able to participate. I wish that I could have because this festival is beautiful. The desert is a perfect place for reflection.

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