Amardeep Singh: Diwali in Philly

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Diwali in Philly

I took this photo last night, at the Philadelphia Gurdwara, in Milbourne/Upper Darby (Philadelphia Sikh Society). Though the holiday isn't on the scale of the main, Hindu Diwali, Sikhs do tend to light candles.

11 Comments:

ana beynaam said...: I like all the different shapes and sizes and colors of the candles. Happy Diwali Amardeep!; 11:06 AM
uday said...: very colorful amardeep!

About the diwali relevance, I thought that the sikhs had a stronger Diwali connection when I read this section of the Diwali wiki page..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali
[plz scroll down to the Diwali in Sikhism section]

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Diwali&action=edit§ion=6; 7:12 PM
tilotamma said...: so beautiful, thanks for posting this...; 7:18 PM
Amardeep said...: Uday, yes the Guru Hargobind event is often cited. There is also a shabad (hymn) that is sung on Diwali at Gurdwaras, called "Diwali di raat."

There is a detailed discussion of the question by a more orthodox Sikh here. Basically, according to this person the dates end up looking a little unclear. I am not orthodox on those kinds of questions -- as far as I'm concerned, there's nothing wrong in sharing in Diwali as a cultural holiday.

Interestingly, it appears that the author of that article shares my name! Rest assured, I didn't write it.; 10:16 PM
Ruchira Paul said...: Amardeep:

Your name is more common than you suspect. The executive director of the Sikh Coalition of New York shares your name.

The expression of solemn wonder on the littel girl's face is beautiful.; 9:27 AM
Anonymous said...: There is this cool international initative that started in Toronto called Harmony Movement. It is all centred around the idea of sharing beyond religion in the hopes of human unity.

The idea of a "peace tree" is to give non-Christian kids a chance to join festivities and become part of what Christmas is about (something that all people, of all faith can share)

Why should Diwali be any different?

------------------

The promotional movie is gorgeous and really promotes the Sikh ideal of harmony beyond faiths.

http://www.sandalwoodproductions.com/peacetree/film.html; 10:11 PM
Anonymous said...: *within faith

not beyond faith.; 10:13 PM
Panini Pothoharvi said...: Amardeep jio,

The little lamps are fine but where are the sweets!

A belated happy Diwali to you!

By the way, I shall be deeply interested in looking at the "Diwali Ki Raat" shabd. Could you post the exact reference, please?; 1:16 PM
Amardeep said...: Panini, Happy Diwali to you too.

The same link I gave above (to the article about whether the Guru Hargobind connection to Diwali is reliable) has the lyrics:

Bhai Gurdas Jis’ Vaar 19 Pauri 6

Diwali Di Raat Devey Baliyan
Tarey Jaat Sanat Ambar Bhaliyan
Phula Di Bagat Chun Chun Chaliyan
Tirath Jati Jat Nain Nihaliyan
Har Chandauri Jhat Vasaye Uchaliyan
Gurmukh Sukh Ful Daat Sabad Smaliyan

I presume you don't need a translation!; 2:05 PM
arvindh said...: Oh what a beautiful shot!; 8:10 PM
Suresh Sistla said...: i was searching for a diwali pic on the net. this one is one of the best. u made me happy friend. A very Happy Diwali.; 1:20 AM