Deepavali for Dival), a Samarit word that means "row of lights," is a popular Hindu festival celebrated by all I hindus, irrespective of sect of caste It occurs in the Hindu calendar month of Kartika (October-November) around the fall equinox when the sun rises exactly in the east and sets exactly in the west. Day and night are of equal duration and in the northern hemisphere the sun is at its lowest elevation. Since Hindu calendars are based on lunisolar calculations, the date varies from year to year. Celebrations begin on the eve of the new moon in the bright half of the month of Kartika, which is called Naraka Ekadasi.
Deepavali traditionally marks the end of the fiscal year when accounts are tallied, debts repaid, and employees receive their bonuses. People buy new clothes, distribute sweets, and visit elders to receive their blessings for the coming year.
In southern India, the ritual of Ganga snanam (Ganga bath) is customary. Drops of water from the holy river Ganga, gathered and stored in little copper vessels, are added to bath water, which thus sanctified, is believed to cleanse one's sins and omissions of the past year.
Lakshmi-the goddess of wealth-is worshipped on the day after Deepavali, while in northern India, people gamble into the night in the hope of attracting good fortune.
There are several legends that explain the origins of Deepavali. These vary from region to region and sect to sect. The common thread that runs through all of these legends, however, is the triumph of good over bad and the anticipation of prosperity in the coming fiscal year.
It has been the experience of several young mothers that the children of today are upset by excessive goriness and violence-a positive sign indicating that we are producing a more sensitive generation. As with my previous storyteller's prerogative and made subtle changes to minimize the violence in these stories.
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