Introduction to Hinduism

Hinduism is the world’s third most popular religion with over 800,000 followers.

• There is no single founder, teacher, nor prophets.
• Hinduism evolved from the culture of ancient India.
• Hinduism is over 3000 years old and is the word’s third most popular religion with over 800,000 million followers
• Hindu’s believe that Brahman is the principle and source of the universe from which all existence comes
• Hinduism is based on the concept of reincarnation and that existence is a cycle of birth, death and rebirth governed by the law of Karma
• Hinduism is not a unified religion
• Hindu worship is primarily an individual act and the majority of Hindu homes have a shrine where offerings are made and prayers said

Holy Days

Hindu festivals are largely linked with the movements of the sun and moon.

Makar Sankrant

The first Hindu festival of the solar calendar year. A day for almsgiving and patching up quarrels

Holi

A spring festival. People throw coloured dye and water at each other

Mahashivratri

A festival in honour of the Lord Shiva.

Vasant Panchami

Festival dedicated to Saraswati, goddess of learning

Janmashtami

Birthday of Lord Krishna

Navaratri

Festivals of the nine nights

Diwali (Deepvali) - festival of lights

Diwali explained by a member of the Faith in Lambeth Network
Diwali is a celebration of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and the triumph of good over evil. Diwali or Dipawali means 'Cluster of Lights'. Diwali is celebrated on the last day of the dark half of the lunar month of Kartik in the Hindu calender.

Diwali marks the beginning of a new year. Business people open new accounts, placing a coin in their new account books. Diwali is a time for thanksgiving prayers, for the family get together, for love, goodwill and generosity, for greetings, gifts and sweets. We thank God and pray for prosperity in the New Year. Diyas, little clay lamps decorate our homes, everywhere.

Divine Mother Lakshmi is worshipped at Diwali. The holy Vedas states: 'God is not only Father but Mother also.' Mother Lakshmi, born out of the ocean of milk, is the Goddess of beauty, light, knowledge, purity, wealth and good fortune. Mother Lakshmi is celebrated in our daughter, sister, niece, wife, aunt and mother.

Diwali also celebrates many great events for Hindus: the marriage of Divine Mother Lakshmi to Lord Vishnu; the death of wicked king Naraksura at the hands of Lord Krishna; Lord Vishnu's humbling of arrogant Balli; the day Great King Vikram Aditya ascended his throne; the visit of generous King Mahaballi; the return of Princess Deepa, and prosperity to her kingdom. Goddess Kali is worshipped at Diwali, to banish all evil from the world. On Diwali night, Pitrus, departed souls, flickering as lights, ascend to the heavens.

It is the day when jealous and selfish Queen Kaikeyi accepted defeat and repented for her wrongs. She had thrown the kingdom of Ayodhya into darkness, when she secured the banishment of Lord Rama the heir to the throne, so that her son Bharat would be crowned king. Diwali celebrates the end of Lord Rama's 14 years in exile, his victory over demon king Rawan and his triumphant return to assume his rightful place as king. Millions of lights showed the way to Holy City Ayodhya, itself aglow with lights on Diwali night.

Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesh, in the company of Mother Laksmi are worshipped at Diwali. We pray to Saraswati, goddess of learning, temporal and spiritual, and goddess of music and the arts. We pray to Lord Ganesh, the all powerful elephant headed god of wisdom and good fortune, the remover of obstacles, for his blessings for success to attend all our undertakings.

Goddess Lakshmi visits every home on Diwali night, and lives in that home which is beautiful and clean, where peace, harmony, knowledge and goodness dwell, and where beautiful lights brighten the home to welcome everyone.

Goddess Laksmi comes out of a lotus flower, holds lotus flowers in her hands, the lotus flowers representing purity. Her other hands are giving. As Goddess of wealth Mother Lakshmi shares her wealth with everyone who worships her. At Diwali time every door is decorated with rangoli patterns, made with coloured rice or powders, welcoming visitors, especially Mother Laksmi, who will bless us with wealth, happiness and prosperity. Diwali lights are our prayer, as in the sanskrit verse: 'Tamaso Maa Jyotir Gamaya.' -'Lead us O Divine Mother from darkness into light, From ignorance into knowledge.'