Diwali in India
For Jains, Diwali celebrates the achievement of this state by Lord Mahavira at the age of 42.
Moksha or Nirvana
What are each of the 5 days of Diwali? (in correct order)
1. Dhanteras
2. Kalichaudas
3. Diwali
4. New year
5. Bhai Beej
Making goals and cleansing life.
Who goes to whose home to celebrate this day?
Brother goes to sister's house
Dhanteras is a celebration of ____-
Laxmi in the form of wealth
These Two religions other than Hinduisim celebrate Diwali within their own significance
What are Jainism and Sikhism
Diwali falls on this day according to the Hindu calendar
Ashwin amavasya/ aso vad amas
Vaman asked for Tripada Bhum. The three steps of tripada bhum symbolizes ____.
1) Give Education back to the Brahmins
2) Give rulership of kingdom only to Satvik Kshatriyas
3) Give business in the hands of only Satvik Vaishyas
The 5th day, Bhai Duj, is also known as Yamadwitheya, celebrating this brother visiting his sister for dinner.
Who is Yama?
Kalichoudas is a celebration of _____
The tradition of Rangoli can be traced back to this Indian state.
Maharashtra
All of India doesn't celebrate new years during Diwali time. This calendar has the new years that is celebrated during Diwali time.
Vikrama calendar - began in the year 56 BC and was named after king Vikrama
Which historical character visited his sister on this day?
Krishna met Subhadra
Yama met Yamuna
What are the four types of strength (shakti)?
Ashakti – strength used to hurt someone
Shakti – strength that is used for selfish reasons
Kali – strength that is used for someone else, to help
Maha-Kali – strength that is used for selfless reasons, as devotion, for God’s work
These two countries celebrate Diwali other than India
What are Nepal and Malaysia
Despite variations, Diwali fundamentally represents the victory of light, truth and knowledge over these 3 opposite characteristics.
Light, Delusion and ignorance
Why is new year also called Balipratipada?
On this day, Vaman sent Bali to Patal (the lowest region of earth) by requesting land of his Kingdom equivalent to three paces. (puranic story)
Moon on the second day (beej) of the waxing half of the month is a symbol of __________.
Capacity to work - karmayogi
Moon on beej is progressively growing to
full moon.
What are the four different types of Laxmi?
Alaxmi – wealth used to hurt someone
Vitta – wealth that is used for selfish reasons
Laxmi – wealth that is used for someone else, to help
Mana-Laxmi – wealth that is used for selfless reasons, as devotion, for God’s work
This is the one state in India where Diwali is not a major festival.
Kerala
What is the symbolism of the diya/devo?
1. One diya can light others - we can inspire and enlighten others.
What is the story of Krishna associated with this day? What is the symbolism for new years?
Krishna changed people of Gokul’s ritualistic prayer of Indra and instead focused them to pray to the Govardhan mountain. We should discard old habits and adapt to a new way of life as prescribed by Rishis and avatars.
A sister prays for her brother to have these qualities on bhai beej: (one of two qualities is enough for correct answer)
1. Karmayogi (action oriented)
2. Light-giving and progressive as symbolized by Moon on Beej day (second day of moon calendar month)
We should look at laxmi with the same outlook that we look at our ________
Mother