Diwali Celebration (festival of lights) at Staten Island Hindu Temple
Editor’s note: Staten Islander also covered the Mayor’s attendance at the Diwali celebration and reception in New York City.
The Staten Island Hindu Temple celebrated Diwali on October 27th at Island Chateau with all the community members joining the occasion. The Diwali event was full of fun and celebration with delicious food, dancing, and music.
Senator Jessica Spanton Scarcella joined the Diwali participants and wished them a Happy Diwali. This event was also used to raise funds for the temple, and did very well raising good donation contribution to the temple.
What is Diwali?
Diwali is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains across the world. The festival, which coincides with the Hindu New Year, celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
The actual day of Diwali is traditionally celebrated on the festival’s third day which is new moon day signifying the Hindu New Year, and this year falls on Thursday, October 31st. The festival usually falls between the middle of October and the middle of November, although this is decided upon by the Hindu lunar calendar.
While each faith has its own reason to celebrate the festival, one of the most popular stories told is the legend of Lord Rama and his wife Sita returning to their kingdom in northern India from exile after defeating the demon king Ravana in the 15th century BC.
How is Diwali celebrated?
The festival is marked by large fireworks displays, to remember the celebrations which, according to the legend, took place upon Rama’s return as locals set off their own version of fireworks.
Those celebrating the festival also light traditional earthen diyas (candles) and decorate their houses with colorful rangoli artworks – patterns created on the floor using colored rice or powder. During Diwali, families and friends share sweets and gifts, and there is also a strong belief in giving food and goods to those in need.
It is also traditional for homes to be cleaned and new clothes to be worn at the time of the festival.
On this day, people worship Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity.
Banner Image: Goddess Lakshmi statue at Shree Ram Mandir. Image Credit – Staten Island Hindu Temple
Staten Island Hindu Temple, Shree Ram Mandir
An organization namely, Staten Island Hindu Temple, Inc was registered with the State of New York in 1997. There was a consensus to name the temple after Shree Rama. This led to the purchase of property at 1318 Victory Blvd. Staten Island, in June 2001 with the intent to build the temple by replacing the existing structure. The congregation of Hindus consecrated the new temple structure with Hindu religious invocations (bhoomi puja) by priests in 2004. Construction of the temple began making the dream a reality. Construction was completed in 2006. Inauguration of the temple premises, the house of God (Devalaya) took place with worship according to Hindu rituals of temple entry (devalaya pravesana) thereafter. Various Hindu deities were included inside the temple premises as per the wishes of different denominations of the Hindus with different cultures and traditions thereby reflecting a harmonious and peaceful confluence of all traditions of devotees.