news.library.ualberta.ca
  • BLOG HOME
  • About
    • Author Profiles
    • Five Things You Need to Know About the Library
    • Five Things to Know About University of Alberta Library – Online Edition
  • Collections
  • Community
  • Wellness
  • Français
news.library.ualberta.ca
  • BLOG HOME
  • About
    • Author Profiles
    • Five Things You Need to Know About the Library
    • Five Things to Know About University of Alberta Library – Online Edition
  • Collections
  • Community
  • Wellness
  • Français
Community

Diwali (Deepavali) – Festival of Lights

by Elisabet Ingibergsson November 4, 2021
written by Elisabet Ingibergsson November 4, 2021
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterEmail

India is a vast country with an abundance of religious and cultural festivals reflecting the nation’s religious diversity.  Today we are shining a light on Diwali – the Festival of Lights! 

Celebrated by more than a billion people from a variety of faiths across India and its diaspora, Diwali is the largest festival in India. Although celebrations occur on the same date, Diwali does not have the same meaning for everyone. Hindus make up the vast majority of India’s population, and it is the Hindu versions of Diwali that have come to dominate the popularized cultural form of the occasion. At the same time, Sikhs and Jains mark the occasion in ways that honor their stories and commitments. These distinctive occasions celebrated on Diwali have a theme shared by all: the triumph of righteousness –  the victory of good over evil, often represented by light. 

The five days of Diwali are marked by prayer, fireworks, family gatherings, feasts and charitable giving and is considered by many to mark the beginning of a new year. Diwali or Deepavali gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects them from spiritual darkness. 

November 4th is the beginning of this year’s celebrations. For our many students, staff and community members who are beginning their celebrations we are wishing you a Diwali that brings happiness, prosperity and joy to you and all your family.

Wishing you a Diwali that brings happiness prosperity and joy to you and all your family.

Library Resources:  We have many books and resources about Diwali, especially in our curriculum collections.

Lights for Gita
  • Lights for Gita by Michel Vo This animated short film tells the story of Gita, an 8-year-old girl who can’t wait to celebrate Divali in her new home in Canada. But it’s nothing like New Delhi, where she comes from. The weather is cold and grey and a terrible ice storm cuts off the power, ruining her plans for a party. Obviously, a Divali celebration now is impossible. Or is it? As Gita experiences the glittering beauty of the icy streets outside, the traditional festival of lights comes alive in a sparkling new way.
  • The link above to the NFB’s Lights for Gita is freely accessible, but there are many other resources available through the UAlberta’s NFB Campus collection.
  • A great starting point for any research topic is our EBSCO search from the main library website. We found the Research Starter on Diwali very useful!

Thanks for the read! Like our blog posts? We invite you to subscribe to our newsletter (scroll down to the bottom right side of this page). Love us on the blog? Then you’ll love us on social media! Check us out at @uofalibrary on Instagram & Twitter!

collectionsDewaliIndian CultureInternational Student CultureInternational studentsNFB Campus
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterEmail
Elisabet Ingibergsson

Elisabet has worked at University of Alberta Library since 2015 at Bibliothèque Saint-Jean, Cameron Library and currently at Rutherford Library. She loves exploring our amazing province and beyond in her hand-crafted teardrop camper (which she built herself).

previous post
FUN FACTS ABOUT INDIA
next post
Early Learning Resources: Another reason to get your L-Pass

You may also like

Wish you were here! – Greetings from the...

August 5, 2022

Attention Instructors: Consider Accessible Course Materials

August 2, 2022

À l’attention des instructeurs : Pensez à des...

August 2, 2022

Digitizing SEE & VUE (part 1 of 3):...

July 26, 2022

Books for the Armchair Traveller

July 19, 2022

Hidden Gems: Canadiana Online

July 1, 2022

Finding a Good Way: Working Towards Decolonizing and...

June 28, 2022

Faites un retour dans le temps – Les...

June 27, 2022

Indigenous Musicians from Canada

June 21, 2022

Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Subject Guide

June 14, 2022

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Instagram Corner

No any image found. Please check it again or try with another instagram account.

Categories

  • Collections (142)
    • Borrowing (19)
    • Collection Connection (5)
    • Digital Collections (60)
    • Special Collections (5)
  • Community (273)
    • Awards (11)
    • Events (11)
    • Exhibits (8)
    • News (9)
    • Staff (50)
  • Digital Scholarship Centre (8)
  • Français (95)
  • Wellness (25)
    • Dogs in the Library (5)

BLOG ARCHIVES

  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube

@2020- University of Alberta Library
The University of Alberta is situated on traditional Treaty 6 territory and homeland of the Métis peoples. Amiskwaciwâskahikan / ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᕀᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ / Edmonton


Back To Top