Diwali in America

An article recently appeared at the office.  I find it quite interesting - I am eager to learn about cultures, my colleagues, etc.  However, I also find this interesting in light of the increasing marginalization of our country's formerly dominant  religion, Christianity.  I have had comments made to me such as "You really shouldn't use the words Merry Christmas because it may offend some people." and now I see articles explaining Diwali.  Interesting.

Included is a portion of the article, edited as appropriate.

Diwali arrives next week Nov. 8, 2012 - Diwali is a festival celebrated in India and other countries. The date fluctuates depending on the luni-solar Hindu calendar. Those who celebrate it consider it one of the most important festivals of the year.  

The celebration of Diwali signifies "victory of good over evil." It refers to the light of higher knowledge dispelling all ignorance, the ignorance that masks one's true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality.

[One employee] shares some thoughts on the holiday.

Even after 16 years of living here in the U.S., a home away from home, we try to keep the Diwali memories alive and want our kids to follow the same traditions, hoping that this will be passed down the generations. Every year for Diwali we host a party inviting all our friends who are the only “family” here.

We dress up in new clothes and light up Diyas (small candle lights), decorative lights, and illuminate the home inside and out like a new bride, do the traditional Puja (prayer) and make delicious food and sweets to enjoy over the evening full of laughter and joy.

We burn a few flower pot-type fireworks, sparklers and less noisy crackers, so as to not to disturb the neighbors. We end the night by giving gifts to our friends. It is a small way of saying thanks and being grateful for having friends and hoping that the year ahead is as bright and festive as the occasion itself; removing all obstacles and darkness from the lives of our near and dear ones.

Diwali marks the end of the harvest season in most of India. Farmers give thanks for the bounty of the year gone by, and pray for a good harvest for the year to come. Some businesses make the holiday their fiscal year end and close their accounts for the year.

...Facts you may not know

- India is the second-most populous country after China. It is the seventh-largest country by area.

- With 1.2 billion people governed by a parliamentary republic, it is the most populous democracy in the world.

- The primary official language is Hindi with English used extensively in business. Many other languages make India heavily multilingual.