A traditional Diwali greeting is ‘wishing you a Diwali that brings happiness prosperity and joy to you and all your family.’ More HERE

The Festival of Lights marking the Hindu new Year is known as Diwali (pronounced Divali or Deepavali) typically celebrated for five days Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika (between mid-October and mid-November) at the time of the Scorpio New Moon.

• 2020, Diwali is on November 11-16 or November 12-15 in India.  In the western world the main date is November 14. (See calendar).
• 2021, Diwali is on November 4.
• 2022, Diwali is on October 25.

Diwali or Festival of Lights is perhaps the most popular holiday in Hindu tradition symbolizing the power of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. This festival traditionally features Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity, with additional connections to Sita (Lakshmi incarnated in human form) and Rama (Vishnu incarnated in Human Form), Krishna, Durga, Kali, Dhanvantari, and Vishvakarman.

The burning of oil lamps captures the energy of this festival symbolized by the wick of the oil lamp being partially immersed in the oil. If the wick is completely immersed in the oil the fire is drowned out and the wick can not burn meaning it can not be lit.

The wisdom of this is summed up as life being similar to the wick of the lamp – suggesting when aware we are in the world but not drowned by it. Those who are consumed (drowned) in aquiring material comforts at the expense of others and the health of the Earth can not experience true wisdom and joy. When we cultivate the ability to be in world, but not consumed by it then we can not only experience the light of joy and wisdom we brighten the world with our light.

Diwali is a celebration that reminds us of the power of wisdom to light our lives. That is why lamps are lit on this day not just to decorate homes, but as a reminder of this profound truth we can all experience if we choose it. At this time and through out the year lighting the lamp of wisdom and love in our hearts and radiating that light into the world has the ability to inspire every heart and bring a radiant smile to every face.

Diwali is a reminder that life has many facets and stages and it is not only important but also helpful to wisely light up all aspects of our life so we can express what is ours to express.

Each of us has good qualities, our super powers and gifts. These may include love, strength, kindness, caring, generosity, and the ability to unite or bring people together. Know as you light your on lamp within you are inspiring thousands of others to also be a light within the darkness of ignorance. By lighting the lamp of wisdom in yourself and acquiring knowledge, you awaken all facets of your being. Accessing our inner light is Diwali.

Another symbol of this celebration are the firecrackers that explode with light as a reminder of the importance of finding healthy ways to express your feelings of anger, frustration, hurt and more. Suppression of these feelings can lead to an uncontrollable burst of emotion unleashed in ways that are NOT healthy or helpful.

Finding healthy ways to release bottled-up emotions was practiced by our ancestors and firecrackers can be a reminder that these explosions of light on the outside are ready to occur within us as well leading to the light of peace of serenity. This is a time for releasing bitterness, forgiving self and others, and allowing the light of love to transmute and transform the darkness. Sharing the light of who we are with others is a gift to ourselves and the world around us creating more loving and peaceful light in the world.

The celebration of Diwali is about choosing to be in the present moment, releasing regrets from the past and worries about the future. It is in the present moment you can access and celebrate the light of wisdom within you and welcome a new beginning.

As humans our innate nature is to celebrate, honoring the sacred with gratitude and maintaining our focus on the divine light of love within each of us. This is a powerful time to recount and feel gratitude for all your blessings, all your abundance, all the gifts you have received. Gratitude for the abundance we already have helps to multiply that abundance. The same is true if you focus your awareness on lack and not enough. That is why Diwali is a tradition that helps to refocus your awareness on the abundance you already have to that is what grows.  In the Arthashastra, Chanakya says, “Dharmasya Moolam Arthah,” meaning prosperity is the root of righteousness.

This festival occurs once a year however, ideally we celebrate Diwali (or whatever is similar in your culture and traditions) in every moment of every day. Wisdom is needed everywhere. This is about continuing to ignite the light of wisdom within your being, blessing every member of your family, and every person on the planet. When true wisdom dawns, it gives rise to celebration.

The Yajurveda says, “Tanme Manaha Shivasankalpam astu” — let noble intentions flow from this mind of ours. This Diwali, celebrate with knowledge and take an intention to serve humanity. Light the lamp of love in your heart; the lamp of abundance in your home; the lamp of compassion to serve others; the lamp of Knowledge to dispel the darkness of ignorance; and the lamp of gratitude for the abundance that the Divine has bestowed on us.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/diwali-celebrating-the-li_b_778434.html