October 14, 2007

It's the victory of good over evil: Diwali!

Suddenly, we hear a boom. It's fireworks. What for? Is it for Eid? I don't know, but I grab my camera and run onto the terrace for the beautiful show.

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

When it's over we Google around for an answer. It's Diwali (also called Deepavali):
Known as the "Festival of Lights," it symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for humankind....

Hindus and Sikhs alike regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family and social relationships. For Hindus it is one of the most important festivals, and beginning of the year in some Hindu calendars. There are several beliefs regarding the origin of the holiday. The most repeated version is that Hindus celebrate Diwali to mark the time when Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana. Some also view it as the day Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura or in honor of the day Bali went to rule the nether-world, obeying the order of Vishnu. It is also a significant festival for the Sikh faith. In India, Diwali is now considered to be more of a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith.
Excellent!

Fireworks

26 comments:

Ron said...

Again, superb pics -- my nighttime pics stink, so I'm envious! Thanks for sure striking and beautiful images...

BJK said...

http://www.officetally.com/?p=628&cp=all

"Diwali is
A festival of lights
Let me tell you something
Tonight has been
One crazy night …

So put on your saris
It’s time to celebrate Diwali
Everybody looks so jolly
But it’s not Christmas, it’s Diwali
The goddess of destruction, Kali
Stopped by to celebrate Diwali
Don’t invite any zombies
To our celebration of Diwali
Along came Polly
To have some fun at Diwali
If you’re Indian and you love to party
Have a happy, happy
Happy, happy Diwali!"

Gedaliya said...

Strange...here in Hyderabad Diwali won't be celebrated until November 9th.

I wonder why it's being celebrated so early in NY?

rcocean said...

What fantastic pictures and how lucky to have such a wonderful view.

ricpic said...

Good golly Miss Molly,
Ah just had a Sploshun in mah pants!
Yuze a Firewoiks Eerupshun
What make mah balls light up and dance!

Gedaliya said...

Diwali does fall on November 9th this year, but I guess NYC could only accomodate Diwali Mela a month early. I wonder why.

Maxine Weiss said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33R_DBdO4f4

greenpoint said...

Professor Althouse -- why is it that you no longer vlog or post podcasts? Those were my favorite parts of your blog :(

Jennifer said...

Awesome, but still more fun on The Office.

Ann Althouse said...

greenpoint, I have given up on vlogging and podcasting. I don't know what it is. Something about NY maybe. Or something about talking, perhaps.

rcocean said...

What?! I loved your blogcasts. Please reconsider.

Ann Althouse said...

I meant to write: I HAVEN'T given up...

Freudian slip!

Maybe I have!

I do get tired of talking sometimes. You're on more of a treadmill. Writing, you pace yourself.

Revenant said...

Ann,

What kind of digital camera are you using to take those fireworks photos? They really came out nicely.

Maxine Weiss said...

Personally, I'd like to see a VLog without any talking at all.

That would be kind of a novelty, for you to go through the whole thing without saying a word.

Just gestures, and posturing.

Trooper York said...

Homer: No offense Apu, but when they're handing out religions you must be out taking a whizz.
Apu: Mr. Simpson, pay for your purchases and get out...and come again.
(The Simpsons 1995)

rhhardin said...

get out

A fine old Imus cut on the convenience store situation in New York.

It's insensitivity you can't get enough of these days.

Imus may return, but alas a culturally sensitive Imus. It's the Yoko Ono effect.

Tripp Hall said...

This early Diwali thing was really bugging me: more googling reveals that it's held early to avoid the chilly weather that comes in November. This is the 20th one held in Manhattan.
Hindustan Times:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/ywdrdr

Ann Althouse said...

I used my big camera, a Nikon D50. I also took many, many pictures and picked the best. I learned a lot about what I should have done to make them better, especially hold the camera very steady (for the long exposure). I think I'd have had better luck with my little Sony, because of the motion correction built into it.

KCFleming said...

Seems to me like good wins over evil every year.

I think it's fixed.

J. Cricket said...

Actually, Diwali is November 9th. But why let facts get in the way of whatever Althouse wants to assert.

Your google "research" cries out for an additional label: lameness.

Photos over facts!!

Jennifer said...

lol You'd think a person with their heart set on the facts would click through the handily provided link. But, then I guess we'd miss the hilarity of misplaced righteous indignation.

Gedaliya said...

Al Green...

Did you see my 8:09pm comment?

I suggest that next time, before you insult our good host with a wholly unwarranted attack, you do a little research of your own. All you've done here is reveal yourself to be a boorish, lazy fool who can't use the Internet or even click on a URL a few comments upthread.

Jennifer said...

Gedaliya - All he had to do was click on "an answer" in the post to find out who hosted this Diwali celebration, why it was hosted early, really everything...

Finn Alexander Kristiansen said...

I particularly like it when certain Indian festivals of vaguely religious inspiration are celebrated in Decemeber in schools, while at the same time traditional Christmas songs and discussions about the motivation for Christmas are blotted out.

Selective diversity rocks!

Gedaliya said...

Gedaliya - All he had to do was click on "an answer" in the post to find out who hosted this Diwali celebration, why it was hosted early, really everything...

Very true....my bad.

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