International House Philadelphia: Program Guide Fall 2013 | Page 6

F E A T U RE D P R O G R A MS

Diwali: A cultUral celebration International House serves as a meeting point for not only residents from around the world, but also thousands of people from the Greater Philadelphia community. Part of the way in which International House fulfills its mission is by introducing its global residents to the American experience, and for more than 100 years, IHP has also introduced its resident’s national cultures and traditions to the general public. Each year, IHP opens its doors to Philadelphia and invites members of the community to participate in various cultural journeys, such as Diwali – popularly known as the ‘festival of lights’ – the five day Hindu festival that falls between mid-October and mid-November. Diwali is considered one of the most important holidays for Hindus, and is celebrated in families by performing various traditional activities together in their homes. The celebration of Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. The lamps are kept on throughout the night while one’s house is cleaned, with both being done to make the Hindu goddess Lakshmi feel welcome. Firecrackers are used to drive away evil spirits. During Diwali, celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends, and in the streets one finds beautiful, multi-colored paper lanterns known as kandils – an integral part of Diwali decorations.

While Diwali is popularly known as the ‘Festival of Lights’, the most significant spiritual meaning behind it is ‘the awareness of the inner light’. Central to Hindu mythology is the belief that there is something beyond the physical body and mind, which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. The celebration of Diwali as the ‘victory of good over evil’ refers to the light of higher knowledge dispelling all ignorance, the ignorance that masks one’s true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent, and transcendent reality. With this awakening comes compassion and the awareness of the oneness of all things, or a higher knowledge. This brings ‘anand’, or joyful peace. Just as one celebrates the birth of a physical being, Diwali is the celebration of the birth of one’s inner light. While the story behind Diwali and the manner of celebration varies from region to region (festive fireworks, worship, lights, sharing of sweets, etc), the essence remains the same: to rejoice in and celebrate one’s inner light. This is but one of many international holidays that is celebrated at IHP, and just one way that culture is shared with the larger Philadelphia community. International House invites you to join us on Tuesday, November 5 at 6pm to celebrate this beautiful and reflective cultural holiday. The evening will include various colors, candles, and lights, with traditional food, music, and dance, bringing this important Indian holiday to the Philadelphia region.

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