Diwali (or Deepavali) is a major Indian holiday, and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Many legends are associated with Diwali. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Lights," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being.
In many parts of India, it is the homecoming of Lord Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest, after he defeated the evil Ravana. The people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Rama by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deeva), thus its name: Deepavali. This word, in due course, became Diwali in Hindi. But, in South Indian languages, the word did not undergo any change, and hence the festival is called Deepavali in southern India. There are many different observances of the holiday across India.
In India, Diwali is now considered to be a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith.
Well, I could not leave my son out..but could not find a clear picture that I liked..so here's whatever came my way..taken at three stages in his life. The oldest picture was taken at the International School in Thailand, the early teen taken when living in Vietnam and the current one in the UK! That's Tasha and friend Sharon having a jolly good laugh....with Tom in the background!
Such wonderful memories...the boys (includes my dad and four brothers) and my sister playing badminton every morning. I would be the water girl...it is the house where I spent the formative 20 years of my life and where I still go every holiday! The kids love that house, as much as I do!!! After all, their grandparents live there...
Must try and find a picture of my current home ...
Jenny and I share the same birthday and she's Tanya's best friend Alison's mother. They have been the best of friends from age 4..and still are at age 12 nearing 13!
Tasha plans to take this new hobby far. This is at 3500 feet in the beginning stage. She would like to freefall from 15,000 feet but that would be after 30 jumps. Good luck, Tasha, my brave princess! I know I couldn't do it!
Take care! And Tom plans to join you when his dissertation is over! And Tanya when she turns 18!
Tasha fulfilled her dream of gaining her Black Belt in Kai Zen Do (kickboxing)in December 2007. Her speech was ab fab and everyone loved it. Her 6 friends had come to support her too. She will carry on with this at university. Good Luck!
My Tasha's parties at our home have become legendary. This was a for-the fun-of-it gettogether in April and 75 teens arrived for lamb curry etc etc. Believe it or not, usually we have 200 teens in our home but this was a day of heavy rains and was an indoor party and we needed it 'small'! J and I are always ready to host these events and that is why we have become a bit of a 'celeb' parent duo; the kids love coming! Let's face it, they need to go somewhere, after all, and these days young people get so much abuse from society as people have lost faith in them totally. I absolutely love them and working with teenagers, to me, is my niche. God put me there!
One singular individual that took that walk and changed the world. If all of us decided to be that one individual, the world would change !!'
So true indeed! And I agree with you that every one of us has the ability to make a difference...why don't we TODAY do a Pass It On? Thant means each person will do one good act for someone else...and tell them to pass it on..so that person will do something nice for someone else..and so on. Remind them to say the words, 'Pass it on'. While we may not see the difference it makes, it surely will. That is the Domino Effect!
I thought of this before the movie came out by the same name. It all happened around 17 years ago when I crashed into a parked car and the owner came out to see her car in a 'written off' state. Yet, despite the fact she was at work and could not even get home that day, she turned to me with a comforting smile and said, 'the important thing is, 'are you okay?' I was so relieved with her reaction and in my own heightened sense of upset and shock, I made the decision I would pass on a similar reaction in similar situations.
Oh, the opportunity came several times. I have had cars bump into the side, reverse into me, knock mirror off etc over the years and even when Tanya and I were in a major accident on a dual carriageway owing to the fault of the other driver, despite cuts and bruises and a written-off car, I hugged the other driver and said, 'the important thing is 'you are okay?'
I hope I pass this onto the thousands who read this today.
And ABji, I love the fact you have us as your extended family and you are the Head. We hope anytime we say to you when (not if) we meet you that we are your blogging family, we get a precious moment of your time and a warm handshake.
This is what Onam is all about, courtesy of www.malayalifestivals.com
Enjoy the video made by an American Malayalee by clicking on it!(Mallus for short:people of Kerala!)
Onam is one of the most significant harvest festivals of Kerala and is an attraction for thousands of people outside and within the state. All the activities during this season are centred on worshipping, music, dance, sports, boat races and good food. This festival is celebrated in the Malayalam month Chingam (ending of August and beginning of September). Onam is a harvest festival and celebrates the reward of nature after a year of hard work. The merry making of the festival includes an elaborate procession of Trichur and amusing boat races on River Pampa. Women dress up in heavy jewellery and new saris and make complex and detailed designs of “rangolis” and “pookkalam”(with flowers) in front of their homes.
Onam is celebrated in the memory of King Mahabali. It was said that King Mahabali ruled Kerala a long time ago and looked after the welfare of the people. Thus Onam shows the blissful rule of the King and the freedom, which the people enjoyed under his rule. The people also believe that during Onam, the King returns to Kerala to pay a visit to his people.
The people in Kerala arrange for this festival by cleaning up their houses and decorating them. On the occasion of Onam, everybody in the family wears new clothes. Delicious sweets and dishes are prepared and served on the banana leaves. “Pookalam” a flower mat is visible outside every house. This mat is a symbol of welcoming King Mahabali. On the eve of Onam, traditional rituals are performed and the people celebrate the occasion with a grand feast. “Payasam” a sweet and tempting porridge is one of the favorite dessert served on the eve of Onam.
“Vallamkali” or a great boat race is an attractive feature of this festival. In this game hundreds of men row the boats to the beat of drums and cymbals. An interesting thing to note is that above each boat there is a scarlet silk umbrella and gold coins are hung from the umbrella. This event is extremely popular with various boats competing with each other in order to win the race.
Onam is celebrated not only by Hindus but also by Christians and Muslims. It is one such festival that unites all the people regardless of race and religion.
Hugely proud moment for all of us, Abhinav (AB)! I would have wept on seeing my country's flag go up as the national anthem played but by jove...you have masked your emotions well.
Well done. Amitabh Bachchan (the other iconic Indian AB) posted on his blog how proud he feels!
I talk a lot and I write a fair bit. I should exercise more..joined the gym and sat in the sauna talking....I do enjoy living and being happy! Enter my fun website; ye who dares, wins!
Just remember, my first entry is called just that..'My First Entry' and it all began that fine day in November 2007! Click on the side arrow of each month and scroll down until you read them all.....
