Bhartiyam invites you, your family and friends to our Diwali Celebration. There will be a cultural program, lights, diyas, ramleela, live music, and puja followed by dinner. We would be honored to have you with us. It will be a great chance to cherish your rich culture and heritage.

Date: October 25, 2008
Time: 5:00–9:30 PM Sharp
Venue: Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus
24635 SE Issaquah Fall City Road
Issaquah, Washington 98029
Attire: Semi Formal / Traditional
You may purchase tickets online at www.bhartiyam.org

For further information or to participate in cultural activities, please visit www.bhartiyam.org or contact Ravi Chhabra, ravi.chhabra@bhartiyam.org. Diwali (also called Deepavali,) is a major Indian festival/celebration. Known as the “Festival of Lights,” it symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind. The Sanskrit word Deepavali also means array of lights that stands for victory of brightness over darkness. The celebration focuses on lights and lamps, particularly traditional diyas.

Diwali is the day when God Rama returned to Ayodhya after his 14 year exile after vanquishing king Ravana, the 10-headed demon-king. As the lunar New Year is the darkest night of the year, people put out rows of lamps to help Rama find his way back home. All across India, people decorate their houses and streets with rows of oil lamps and strings of white lights. On the day of Diwali, many wear new clothes, share sweets and light firecrackers. The Indian business community usually starts their financial new year on Diwali and new account books are opened on this day. The illumination on Diwali also signifies end of darkness which stands for ignorance and beginning of knowledge symbolized by lights that shall enlighten all. Please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali or www.bhartiyam.org for more information.