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Deepavali is celebrated as the auspicious day on which Rama returned to Ayodhya. In South India the legend is that popular Rakshasa king Bali was condemned to the netherworld by Vamana, the 5th avatar of Lord Vishnu. First day of Deepavali is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi, the day Krishna eliminated Narakasura. Second day is for Lakshmi Puja day (Similar to Dhan Theras, by Gujarati’s). On the third day, Krishna’s idol is symbolically decorated with Marigold flowers near the home entrance to invite Bali during the evening time. Fire crackers are burst as Bali comes home to visit his subjects for one day in the year. Deepavali is celebrated to dispel darkness of ignorance through illumination of light from knowledge. All homes and cities are decorated with diyas ( rows of lamps ) for a period of one month. It is a special day at the Dharmastala Shri Manjunatha temple . On the month end Amavasya day of Karthik month ( lunar calendar), the temple will be decorated with 100,000 diyas. Traditionally this temple complex is well managed for several generations by Jain family of Shri. Virendra Hegde and his ancestors. Dharmastala is one of several beautiful temple cities on the western ghats near coastal Karnataka.

The White House celebrated Diwali, a holiday observed annually by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists throughout India and across the world. Known as the “festival of lights,” Diwali offers time for both reflection and celebration. Its stories and rituals focus on the triumph of light over darkness and compassion over hatred. The day signifies the renewal of life and the promise of prosperity for the year to come.

To those celebrating Diwali, I wish you, your families and loved ones Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak.

Statement by President Obama:

Today, here at home and across the globe, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists will celebrate the holiday of Diwali – the festival of lights. Diwali is a time for gathering with family and friends, often marked with good food and dancing. It is also a time for prayer and reflection about those less fortunate. It is a testament to the compassion of these communities that so many of them have helped those that have been devastated by Hurricane Sandy.

Many who observe this holiday will light the Diya, or lamp, which symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. As that lamp is lit, we should all recommit ourselves to bring light to any place still facing darkness. Earlier this year, we were reminded of the evil that exists in the world when a gunman walked into the Sikh gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and opened fire. In the wake of that horrible tragedy, we saw the resilience of a community that drew strength from their faith and a sense of solidarity with their neighbors, Sikh and non-Sikh alike. We also saw compassion and love, in the heroic actions of the first responders and the outpouring of support from people across the country. Out of a day of sadness, we were reminded that the beauty of America remains our diversity, and our right to religious freedom.

To those celebrating Diwali, I wish you, your families and loved ones Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak.