UHJT Diwali Mela - Association of United Hindu and Jain Temples of Washington Metro Area (UHJT).

Diwali is one of the biggest festival of Hindus, celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness in India. The festival is celebrated for five continuous days, where the third days is celebrated as the main Diwali festival or "Festival of lights". Different colorful varieties of fireworks are always associated with this festival. On this auspicious day, people light up diyas and candles all around their house. They perform Laxmi Puja in the evening and seek divine blessings of Goddess of Wealth. The festival od Diwali is never complete without exchange of gifts. People present diwali gifts to all near and dear ones.

In the North India, Diwali festivities start at Dussehra. There are numerous legends and local customs associated with this festival, but common to all is the lighting of homes, pathways, temples, and even government buildings, with hundreds of small clay lamps and candles. Firecrackers, thought to frighten away evil spirits are also used with abandon, which makes this a particular popular festival for children.

In the South India, Diwali festival often commemorates the conquering of the Asura Naraka, a powerful king of Assam, who imprisoned tens of thousands of inhabitants. It was Krishna who finally subdued Naraka and freed the prisoners. Diwali Festival in the south is celebrated in the Tamil month of aipasi (thula month) "naraka chaturdasi" thithi, preceding amavasai. The preparations begin the day before, when the oven is cleaned, smeared with lime, four or five kumkum dots are applied, and then it is filled with water for the next day"s oil bath. The house is washed and decorated with kolam (rangoli) patterns with kavi (red oxide). In the pooja room, betel leaves, betel nuts, plaintain fruits, flowers, sandal paste, kumkum, gingelly oil, turmeric powder, scented powder are kept. Crackers and new dresses are placed in a plate after smearing a little kumkum or sandal paste.

Regional Names of Diwali in India.

The customs of celebrating Diwali, the festival of light vary from region to region. Though the theme of Diwali is universal, ie, the triumph of Good over Evil, the Darkness paving way for Light and Ignorance leading to Knowledge. With warmer days turning into a mild winter, the fun-filled Deepavali, is celebrated for five days from Krishna Chaturdashi to Kaartik Shukla Dwiteeya. Diwali is observed by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, each community celebrating Diwali for different reasons.

Location: Patriot Center, George Mason University. 12:00am - 10:00pm

Devotees from ISKCON Potomac and Baltimore temple will be performing Bhajans/Kirtans on stage and will also have a table with spiritual books for sale.

UHJT Invites you to celebrate the "Festival of Light" (Diwali).

LOCATION : Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax, VA 22030.

Shree GANESH, Shree MAHALAXMI Pooja and Grand Cultural Program. Experience the ageless culture of India by touch and taste. Gala Festival, Featuring Indian Foods, Shops of Fashion Clothing, Jewelry, Audio/Video CD/DVD, Cosmetics, Books and Childrens Entertainment.

DIRECTIONS: From the Capital Beltway: From the beltway, I-495, take exit #54A (Braddock Road) and proceed West on Braddock 6 miles to George Mason University on the right.

Temples :

Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha
4320 Ammendale Road, Beltsville, MD 20705.

Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional Center
46 Norwood Road, Silver Spring, MD.

Durga Temple
8400 Durga Place, Fairfax Station, VA.

Gayatri Pariwar, USA.

Hare Krishna Temple
10310 Oaklyn Drive,Potomac, MD.

The Hindu Temple of Metropolitan Washington
10001 Riggs Road,Adelphi, MD 20783.

India House of Worship
1428 Chilton Drive, Silver Spring, MD.

Jain Society of Metropolitan Washington
1021 Chaney Road, Silver Spring, MD.

Shri Mangal Mandir
17110 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20905.

Murugan Temple of North America
6300 Princess Garden Parkway, Lanham, MD.

Rajdhani Mandir
4525 Pleasant Valley Road, Chantilly, VA 20151.

Sri Siva Vishnu Temple
6905 Cipriano Road, Lanham, MD.

Sri Venkateswara Lotus Temple
12501 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad,P.O. Box 441505
Houston, TX.

>City(s) = Fairfax; State(s) = VA; Country = USA.
>Title = UHJT Diwali Mela, Fairfax, VA, US - Video.
>Keywords = UHJT, Diwali Mela, Association of United Hindu Jain Temples, Washington Metro Area, north south India, Festival of lights, Firecrackers, Asura Naraka, sri krishna, laxmi, satyabhama, chaturdasi, ourtripvideos, our, trip, videos, crlapindfrn, Patriot Center, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, virginia Circle, ISKCON Potomac Baltimore temple, BAPS, Chinmaya mission, Durga, temple, Gayatri Pariwar, Hare Mangal Mandir, siva vishnu, Rajdhani, Venkateswara Lotus, Murugan Society (111)
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