The Five Days of Diwali
The fourth day of Diwali (Bali Pratipada/Padva) celebrates the defeat of King Bali's ego by this incarnation of Vishnu. Hint: Umesh Uncle talked about him for like 10 minutes.
Who is Vāmana?
Diwali fundamentally represents the triumph of light, truth, and knowledge over their three contrasting principles. What are those contrasting principles?
What are darkness, lies and ignorance?
Modern day celebrants celebrate in the same way that the mythological inhabitants of Ayodhya also celebrated the arrival of Ram and Sita. We assemble a "deepavali" or a ____ of ____. (We will be generous with your translations)
What is a string/row of lights/lamps?
Two of the most common motifs in rangoli are the "mayura" and "kamala." What are these?
What are peacock and lotus?
Along with Lakshmi, three figures are also celebrated on the day of Lakshmi puja. They are Ganesha, Saraswati, and this deity. He is the lord of the yakshas (semi-divine beings) and is often seen as the "lord of wealth."
Who is Kubera?
The 5th day, Bhau Bheej/Bhai Dooj in North India, is also known as ___dvitiya in South India, celebrating this brother (often characterized as the god of death) visiting his similarly-named twin sister for dinner.
Who is Yama?
For Jains, Diwali celebrates the achievement of this state by Lord Mahavira at the age of 42.
What is Nirvāna?
In some areas, these sacred animals who are believed to be incarnations of Lakshmi are adorned and worshipped during Diwali.
What are cows?
Rangoli powder is dry flour (often rice flour) to which natural pigments, including these two distinctly colored powders - also used in puja - are added.
What are haldi and kumkum?
In some parts of India, the lifting of this mountain by Lord Krishna to shelter his people from the rains of Indra is also celebrated.
What is Govardhan?
Originally, 14 diyas were lit in a row to represent this period of 14 years. (Sanskrit or English name accepted)
What is the vanavāsa/exile of Rāma?
Rangoli comes from the Sanskrit word "Rangavalli." Valli refers to a creeping plant. What does "ranga" - from the root "ranj" - mean?
What is color/dye/paint?
This president was the first to hold Diwali in the White House, and his successor was the first to participate in Diwali celebrations himself. Name both, please.
Who are George W. Bush and Barack Obama?
The second day of Diwali celebrates the victory of Krishna over this demon king and his retrieval of the stolen ornaments of Bhudevi, the mother of that same king.
Who is Narakāsura?
To some, Diwali also symbolizes the return of Vishnu to join Lakshmi in this celestial abode. (Hint: it starts with a "V").
What is Vaikuntha?
Some celebrate by partaking in gambling, a tradition with a mythological origin in the domestic activities of this couple (the parents of the universe), who were fond of dice. Name this divine couple.
Who are Shiva and Parvati?
These body parts are often placed as part of the design to welcome Lakshmi into the home, as if she had actually arrived.
What are feet or footprints?
This is the kind of fragrant oil traditionally burned in Diwali lamps. Hint: for those culinarily inclined people, you use its seeds for classic tadka.
What mustard oil?
Lakshmi Puja (the third day of Diwali) is celebrated on this day in the lunar cycle. Hint: this moon phase is otherwise often considered inauspicious.
What is amāvasyā (no moon)?
The followers of Sikhism celebrate Diwali as the return of Guru Hargobind Ji from captivity in the city of Gwalior. Which Mughal emperor had placed him under captivity? Hint: his regnal name - what we are looking for - means "conqueror of the world," but his pre-regnal name was Salim.
Who is Jahangir?
In Tamil Nadu, "Thalia Deepavali" is a special once-in-a lifetime celebration for this pair of individuals, who are pampered by all their relatives.
Who are newlyweds celebrating their first Diwali together?
The tradition of Rangoli can be traced back to this Indian state.
What is Maharashtra?
Diwali helps lead us from asat to sat, tamas to jyoti, and mrityu to ___. Hint: though this term broadly means immortality, it is often used to describe celestial nectar in particular.
What is amrit?