Deepawali, the Festival of Lights
Carries same significance to Hindus
As the Christmas among Christians
Or Eid al-Fitr for Muslims worldwide
Hindus make preparations for weeks
To clean homes and buy new clothes
Light houses with diyas and kandils
Draw kolams or rangolis at entrance
Exchange greetings, gifts and sweets…
The essence of all this remaining Tamso Maa Jyotir Gamaya, means
Take me from darkness to light.
May almighty Brahman (God)
With feminine manifested form
Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth
Shower peace, prosperity and wealth
And His masculine manifestation
Ganesha, the remover of obstacles
Make all lives smooth and secure
Dispelling darkness, radiating lights...
Let everyone get rid of ignorance
To glow with the blissful light
Of knowledge and wisdom.
