Diwali is popularly known as the 'festival of lights' although it's true meaning is closer to 'the awareness of the inner light'. Central to Hindu philosophy is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure and infinite - one's soul or atma. Diwali is the celebration of this inner light. Deeps (candles) symbolizing this represent the victory of light over darkness, truth over falsehood and knowledge over ignorance. It is this light that is said to remove all obstacles and dispel ignorance. It awakens the individual to one's true nature, not in the physical sense but the spiritual one. With this knowledge comes the awareness of the oneness of all things which leads to ananda or inner peace.
Today's posting is a joint one with our dear friend Shefaly who blogs about Indian cuisine, not so Indian cuisine and all yummy stuff in between over at Shef's Kitchen.
