November Festivities Around the World
Diwali: The Festival of Lights
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains across the world. It is usually observed in October or November, and the date varies every year based on the Hindu lunar calendar. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. The celebrations typically last for five days, with each day representing a different tradition and significance. People decorate their houses with lights and candles, exchange gifts, and prepare elaborate feasts. Fireworks are also a common feature of the festival. In India, Diwali is a national holiday, and families come together to enjoy the festivities, renew relationships, and seek blessings from the deity Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.Thanksgiving: A Time for Gratitude
Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November. It traces its origins to the 1621 harvest feast between the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The early Thanksgiving celebrations were not fixed to a particular date, and it was only in 1863 that the holiday was formalized as a national observance by President Abraham Lincoln. Thanksgiving is a time for families and friends to come together, share a traditional meal of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, and give thanks for the blessings of the year. Parades, football games, and other forms of entertainment are also part of the holiday. Many people undertake charitable activities, such as volunteering at food banks and shelters, to help those in need.Dev Deepawali: The Divine Festival of Varanasi
Dev Deepawali, or the Festival of Lights of the Gods, is a unique celebration that takes place in the holy city of Varanasi in India. It is held on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik, which usually falls in November. The festival is a grand affair, with thousands of diyas (earthen lamps) being lit along the banks of the Ganges River, creating a stunning sight. The festival honors the river Ganges, considered to be a goddess in Hindu mythology. The belief is that on this day, the gods descend on Varanasi to take a dip in the holy river, and hence, the diyas are lit to welcome and honor them. Dev Deepawali also coincides with the Guru Nanak Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion. It is a time for people of different faiths to come together and celebrate the spirit of unity and harmony.