Diwali – Deepavali – Dee-wah-lee.

Gossary: Diwali

Diwali (Deepavali) is the Indian New Year, celebrated annually in honor of the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi. It is often referred to as the “Festival of lights.”

Diwali literally means “row of lights,” and lamps symbolizing the light of wisdom and knowledge are lit every night of the five day festival to welcome prosperity in the new year. Diwali is also celebrated in more secular fashion by Sikhs and Jainas.

Pronunciation: Dee-wah-lee * (noun)

e.g. Sikh symbols:

from left to right: Khanda | Ekonkar | Kirpan | Nishan Sahib | Kara | Kanga

Sikhism is one of the world’s largest religions, blending elements of Islamic and Hindu belief into one egalitarian system.

(Source: 10/2008 – Alternative Religions – Diwali | About.com (Library – Glossary))

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