Happy Diwali Everyone,
On the 5th of November Sadhana Forest was all light and beauty with lamps lined all along the path and beautiful deepam(oil lamp) mandalas made to mark the celebration of Diwali, the festival of light.
Diwali, which is one of the most important festivals in India is celebrated on the kartika amavasya or no moon every year, usually in October or November. The festival is celebrated to mark the return of the victorious Gods after the destruction of evil. Usually all households leave the doors of their homes open on this auspicious day and decorate their houses with flowers and lights to invite the Gods to all homes to mark the victory of good over evil.
Over 20 young friends of Sadhana forest from Pondichery, invited by long term volunteer Raja and Vikram spent presence with us on this beautiful occasion and arranged for a lovely diwali puja. The beautiful lights, people shining with energy, the pretty mandalas, the special puja, the delicious vegan meal cooked by Raja and friends, the special diwali apple dessert prepared by Jamey made for a perfect start for the bright, noise and smoke free, diwali celebrations. Everyone present, the volunteers and the guests, participated in the puja which led to a magically musical time where everyone opened their voices and chanted and built beautiful harmonies in togetherness.
After a magical toning the gathering moved into the main hut where after dinner everyone present danced to some Indian dance numbers and to some drumming and ethnic music prepared by friends in Sadhana. Towards the end of the evening the main hut was thumping with the rythms and moves of energetic flushed happy sweaty faces.
The full moon that follows Diwali, the Karthika paurnami or Deepam that is considered a very auspicious day is also being marked and celebrated here in the forest by gathering around a big sacred fire, magical voices coming together to chant and some dancing to celebrate the moon and light.
We wish everyone a Happy Diwali and Happy Deepam. We hope to carry this light with us all through the year and hope that many of you will bring your light to join us here in the forest to light some lamps of love, peace and laughter.
Spread Love, Spread Light, Spread smiles,
Niki.