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Grissom wishes everyone a Happy Diwali

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  The men and women of Grissom Air Reserve Base wish everyone a Happy Diwali!

Diwali, colloquially known as the Festival of Lights, is a five-day Hindu festival that signifies the renewal of life, with the third day celebrated as the main festival day.

"Diwali" literally means "rows of lighted lamps," and thus is celebrated by lighting small, clay lamps called diyas and candles to signify the triumph of good over evil.

The festival is celebrated in October or November each year depending on the position of the moon. Using the Hindu calendar, Diwali is celebrated on the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin. This year, Diwali starts on Nov. 13.

With its roots as an agricultural festival marking the last harvest before winter, celebrants seek the blessing of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, as businesses close their accounting books. In India today, Diwali marks the first day of the new financial year.

While Diwali can hold different meanings for different people, traditionally the festival is celebrated for three reasons, typically depending on the geographic location of the celebrants.

Hindus in north India celebrate the return to Lord Rama to Ayodhya, India, after a 14-year exile and his vanquishing a demon-king named Ravana, after which Ayodhya residents illuminated the city with rows of the clay lamps in celebration.

Those in the south traditionally celebrate the day in remembrance of Lord Krishna's defeat of a demon named Narakasura.

For the celebrants in western India, they celebrate the day Lord Vishnu sent the demon-king Bali to rule the netherworld.

No matter the reason for the celebration, the theme of the triumph of good over evil is found, which is reflected in the lights of lamps overcoming the darkness of night.

Diwali is also celebrated with large feasts, giving of gifts, sharing of sweets and lighting of fireworks. It is also common for celebrants to wear new clothes on the day of the festival marking the start of the new year.

Grissom is home to Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines of many different faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds. Together, these servicemembers unite to defend the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

Grissom is also home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer