Diwali or Deepavali (deep – lamp, vali – row), the Festival of Lights, is the biggest festival and is celebrated as an official holiday in twelve countries, including India. This year, the five days of Diwali begin October 22 with the main celebration happening on October 24, the day of the new moon. Diwali symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

Observed by more than a billion people across multiple faiths, Diwali is celebrated with prayer, feasts, family, fireworks and, for some, a new year. For Hindus, it is associated with the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, after his 14 years of exile and victory over the demon Ravana. On that day, he was welcomed to the kingdom of Ayodhya with rows of Diyas (lamps), lit throughout the kingdom. Thus, there is a tradition of lighting oil lamps that symbolize the victory of good over evil and freedom from spiritual darkness. In Southern India and in South East Asian countries, Deepavali is celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Krishna over the evil demon Narakasura. In this tradition, Krishna’s slaying of this demon symbolizes the innate ability in every human to overcome negativity and rise to new possibilities. You can learn more at https://isha.sadhguru.org/ca/en/blog/article/diwali-festival-of-lights.

A central theme of Diwali is family, with the fourth day reserved to celebrate the bond between partners and the fifth day for siblings. It’s a time to wear your best new clothes, gather together with the ones you love to eat good food, light diyas, shoot fireworks, and exchange gifts and well wishes.

There will be a Diwali Celebration hosted by some of your SJSU IT colleagues on Thursday, October 27 in the CC 2nd floor break room from 12:45pm to 2:00pm. There will be Indian sweets and savories to enjoy along with the company of your coworkers. Please note that this is not a SJSU IT-funded event.

It’s our hope that each of you and your families have a bright Diwali.

Shubh Diwali,
The SJSU IT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee