Diwali, or Dipawali, is India‘s biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians. Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival that's also enjoyed by non-Hindu communities. For instance, in Jainism, Diwali marks the nirvana, or spiritual awakening, of Lord Mahavira on October 15, 527 B.C.; in Sikhism, it honors the day that Guru Hargobind Ji, the Sixth Sikh Guru, was freed from imprisonment. Buddhists in India celebrate Diwali as well. For more information, click here.

Diwali, o Dipawali, es la celebración mayor y más importante de todo el año en India. El festival lleva este nombre por la fila (avali) de lámparas de barro (deepa) que los Indios prenden fuera de sus hogares para simbolizar la luz interior que nos protege de la oscuridad espiritual. Este festival es tan importante para los hindúes como la Navidad es para los cristianos. A través de los siglos, Diwali se ha convertido en un festival nacional disfrutado también por las comunidades que no son Hindú. Por ejemplo, en el Jainism, Diwali marca el Nirvana, o despertar espiritual, del Lord Mahavira el 15 de Octubre de 527 A.C.; en el Sikhism, se celebra el día en el que Guru Hargobind Ji, el 6to Sikh Guru, fue liberado de la prisión. Los budistas en India también celebran Diwali. Para más información, visita: https://www.nationalgeographic.es/historia/2020/11/diwali-festival-de-luces-fiesta-mas-importante-de-la-india#

Note: The symbol in the third row of images is often mistaken as the Nazi swastika, when, in fact, it’s the ancient Hindu sign of the Sun-God Surya and his generosity. The swastika used by the Nazis was a perverted version of the ancient Hindu swastika. For more information, click here.

Who created the diya? Hero Cirino

Who created the diya? Rahul & Rithu
Why did you decorate the diyas: Happy lighting festival-diwali!

Who created the diya? It's me and my daughter Mishika
Family Name: Venkatesh Kumaar
Why did you decorate the diyas: To teach my little one more about the Indian festivals and show her on how it's being celebrated.

Who created the diya? Camille Tunque
Family Name: Tunque
Why did you decorate the diyas: La historia y tradicion me parecen interesante.

Who created the diya? Oscar Tunque
Family Name: Tunque
Why did you decorate the diyas: La historia me Parece Bonita y es bueno aprender de otras culturas.

Who created the diya? Bhoomi
Family Name: Dharmashankar
Why did you decorate the diyas: I chose to decorate the diyas to celebrate Diwali, festival of lights.