Diwali Festival Oct 2009 Thailand and West Australia

The festival of Diwali has been celebrated for ages and grows in attraction by the year. This year

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the festival is celebrated on the 17th day of October 2009. This is an occasion for the young and the old, men and women, rich and poor – for everyone irrespective of their religious and economic background.

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The festival is celebrated throughout the world to ward off the darkness and welcome the light into our lives and as William Shakespeare said “see yeah that light yonder so shines a good deed in a naughty world”. This festival is celebrated on a grand scale in almost all the regions of India and is looked upon mainly as the beginning of New Year. As such the blessings of Lakshmi, the celestial consort of Lord Vishnu are invoked with prayers.

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Diwali is also celebrated outside India mainly in Australia, Barbados, Britain, Canada, Guyana, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States of America among the Hindus world over.

Thailand
Diwali is celebrated in Thailand under the name of Lam Kriyongh during the months of October-November. The festival has almost similar ways of celebration as that of Diwali. Diyas (lamps) made of banana leaves are made and candles are placed on it along with a coin and incense. These are set afloat on a river, which gives a wonderful view together on the water. The festival is not an extravagant affair. People greet each other and wish them happy returns of the day. Distribution of sweets is a common practice on this day.

Event dates

1. Thailand - 01&02/10/2009.

2. Perth West Australia - 28/10/2009 link - click here link includes link to the Thai Culture of the event

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