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Hindooism
Trinidad & Tabago's Festival of Lights
Divali is a day of love and joy
A time where people greet each other
With tidings of peace and happiness,
With words of thoughtfulness.
Divali signifies good over evil,
Light over darkness,
Love over hatred,
Truth over untruth,
And the festival of lights
Divali
or Deepawali, one of the national holidays of Trinidad and Tobago, observes
the Hindu contribution to the growth and development of the country and is
a symbol of the richly-preserved Hindu culture.
Divali is the grand festival of lights that signifies;
(a) the triumph of light over darkness,
(b) good over evil,
(c) justice over injustice,
(d) knowledge over ignorance.
It is the auspicious season when devout Hindus thoroughly cleanse their homes, buy new wares and clothes and prepare themselves for the worship of the great Goddess, Maha (Mother) Lakshmi - the bestower of health, wealth, wisdom, peace and prosperity. Maha Lakshmi is also considered the Goddess of light. Thus, the lighting of myriads of lamps signifies the pomp and fanfare attributed to her for her boons.
The atmosphere is charged with feelings of solemnity, fellowship and religious
gaiety as feelings of brotherhood are rekindled. Divali marks the culmination
of weeks of fasting and both inner and outer personal cleansing. The festival
takes place on the new moon of Kartik (holy month) of the dark fortnight -
Divali is the darkest night of the year.
The symbolism of light is essential to this festival. It is understood that without light there can be no life. Light is responsible for the development of all that is living. Light is associated with heat, the sun and the divine. It is also stated that during this day Mother Lakshmi resides in the flame of the deya making the purpose of lighting the deyas (clay lamps) even more significant.
Historical importance pervades the festivity of Divali. The Hindu Diaspora
celebrates in the form of lit Deyas signifying the return of Lord Rama after
fourteen years of exile in the forest and the appearance of Mother Lakshmi.
Divali
and the significance of the lit Deyas go a step further. Divali observes the
importance of light and the acceptance of the Divine. Divali therefore is
the spiritual upliftment of all mankind, irrespective of race, religion, nationality,
custom, age or sex.
by Anika Daniel
Ayurvedic and holistic health
Ayurvedia - (Sanskrit) - an ancient medical treatise summarizing the Hindu art of healing and prolonging life; sometimes regarded as a 5th Veda. It is the ancient Hindu science of health and medicine referred to as the origin of Ayurvedic holistic health pedagogy now practiced worldwide and incorporated into the ciriculum of numerous health spa treatments. Read from the following link for a vast amount of printable information
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