Simple answers to your questions on Hinduism are provided here.
Use the search button (top right on desktop, top left on smartphones) to find specific topics of interest. At the bottom of each answer, check the “Tags” section for related topics. To learn more about this Q&A project, click [here].
On Hinduism
You can also download an earlier collection: 300QAs on Hinduism (PDF). Thank you.
20. Holidays
Diwali or Deepavali is one of the most popular festivals known as “Festival of lights”. It is celebrated by Hindus to mark the triumph of good over evil forces after Lord Ram (incarnation of Lord Vishnu) returns to his kingdom Ayodhya after killing the demon king Ravan (evil) to establish Drama (righteousness). Deepavali literally means the “row of lamps” used to decorate homes during the festival. There are other stories behind Diwali celebration in various parts of India with common themes.
Other reading material: What are the major Hindu holidays? Diwali Tool-kit (HAF), Diwali Tool-kit (CoHNA)
Relevant videos: Diwali Explored – The Festival of Lights (Pushpita Prasad), What is Diwali? (CoHNA), Why Sikhs celebrate Diwali? Utsav Deepavali,
Contributor: Nilesh Chaudhary
Location of this post (20a): hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-is-diwali/
Category:
20. Holidays
Holi is a festival of colors, one of the popular and joyous festivals celebrated by Hindus. Holi is celebrated as a symbolic triumph of good over evil.
Holi derives its name from Holika. According to the popular Hindu text Bhagavatam, there was an evil powerful king who forced his citizens to worship him as God. But King’s son, Prahalad, became an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. The angry king after failing to punish Prahalad many times he plotted with his sister, Holika, to kill his son. Holika, who was immune to fire, tricked Prahalad to sit in a pyre with her. When the pyre was lit, the boy’s devotion to Lord Vishnu helped him walk away unscathed while Holika was burned to death. The immunity boon she had lost is due to its misuse.
Holi begins with lighting up a bonfire on Hole eve. People often throw wood, dried leaves and twigs into bonfires. Next day, people play Holi with colors, water balloons and water guns. Later, people enjoy delicious sweets. People also dance in the beats of Holi songs and popular folk music.
.
Other reading material: What are the major Hindu holidays? Holi Tool-kit,
Relevant videos: Short video on Holi by HAF,
Contributor: Geetha Ravula
Location of this post (20b):https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/what-is-holi/
Category:
20. Holidays