India

Image source: Flags of the World. CIA World FactBook Retrieved on October 21, 2010, from [].

= __INDIA __ =

//Diwali //
Diwali is the most glamorous and important of the major Hindu festivals in India. It is as important to Hindus as Christmas is to Christians. It is a five day festival that occurs on the 15th day of Kartika, which places it somewhere between the end of October to the beginning of November. The third day of the festival is the official “Festival of Lights.” Diwali, also known as Divali, Dewali and Deepavali, is a time when gifts are exchanged and festive meals are eaten.



Image source: Loadtr. Happy diwali festival s of hindu. Retrieved on October 24, 2010, from []. The festival starts of with a cleaning and opening of the house to the goddess of wealth, and fireworks can be seen each night. Beyond this the celebrations will vary depending on the region of the country. The holiday honors the victory of good over evil when Lord Rama defeated Rvana and rescued his wife.

Much more information on India's traditions can be found on the Diwali page of I Love India, or on the Diwali Festival website.

//Food //
There are many different special sweets and snacks eaten during Diwali. These include Karanja, a vegetarian sweet pastry filled with sweet milk //(khoya)// or coconut milk and dried fruits.

Image source: Indian Mirror: Diwali Recipes. Karanjia. Retrieved on October 24, 2010, from[| http://www.indianmirror.com/cuisine/diwali.html]. <span style="color: #9c6619; font-family: Georgia,serif; line-height: 115%;">There is also Pista Burfi, which is a sweet bar made with condensed milk and pistachios. <span style="color: #9c6619; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 80%; line-height: 115%;">Image source: Just Food Now. Pista Burfi. Retrieved on <span style="color: #9c6619; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 80%; line-height: 115%;">October 24, 2010, from[]. <span style="color: #9c6619; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 80%;">References <span style="color: #9c6619; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 80%;">Iloveindia.com. //Diwali.// Retrieved on October 18, 2010, from <span class="wiki_link_ext">[]. <span style="color: #9c6619; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 80%;">University of Kansas Medical Center: Diversity Calendar. //Diwali, Divali, Dewali, Deepavali (Buddhism, Hindu, India).// Retrieved on October 18, 2010, from <span class="wiki_link_ext">[]. <span style="color: #9c6619; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 80%;">Ruchis Kitchen. //Diwali Festival.// Retrieved on October 18, 2010, from <span class="wiki_link_ext">[]. <span style="color: #9c6619; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 80%;">DiwaliFestival.org. //Diwali – festival of lights.// Retrieved on October 18, 2010, from <span class="wiki_link_ext">[].

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