Just learned from my friend Tina that today is the first day of Diwali, a five day Hindu festival often referred to as the Festival of Lights (Diwali means "rows of lighted lamps") It also apparently marks the new year (according to the Diversity Calendar linked from LII, "The fourth day of Diwali falls on the first day of the lunar New Year") Some of the traditions and things are explained here as well.
So Happy Diwali and Happy New Year to any of you celebrating.
On fall/winter nights like this when it gets dark so early, a festival of lights is a wonderful thing to observe. I'm definitely looking forward to Hanukkah myself!
Posted by Emily at November 12, 2004 07:52 PM | TrackBack