Diwali Calendar / Diwali Date

Diwali day is calculated according to the position of the moon.

According to Hindu reckoning, the date of Diwali falls on 15th day of the dark fortnight in the auspicious Hindu month of Kartik or the month of October/November in English calendar. This Diwali day falls on the amavasya or the no moon day. Diwali date comes 20 days after the popular festival of Dussehra or Vijaya Dashmi.

Diwali Date 2007 – November 9, 2007 (Friday)
Diwali Date 2008 – October 28, 2008 (Tuesday)

For a festive look that’s easy to get buy broad-gauge ribbon that’s the   
same shade as your cushions.
Tie the ribbons around the cushions much as   
you would around a gift, with a generous bow on the front.
Snip off extra-long edges and arrange the cushions on your sofa.
You could also try using contrasting ribbons, the more ethnic dori or silver/golden gota borders instead.           

Encourage your children to make Di wali gifts.
Get earthen diyas and put them in water dry.
Let your children paint the diyas as creatively as possible – stick bindis, beeds, gotas, daals, silver and gold powder… (let their imagination run but have supplies beforehand).
Prepare candle-wicks by dipping pieces of plumber’s thread into hot wax and letting them dry.
Once done, help them out by pouring hot wax into the diya.
Insert wicks immediately and hold still till set.
Wrap up and go gifting.

For an attractive display, buy a tall, cylindrical transparent vase and line with coloured glass beads or stone chips. When half full, insert sturdy stems, choosing flowers that match the chips or beads.
Fill the vase to the brim with more beads and then carefully pour in water.
Or have the flowers embedded on a florist’s frog (a tablet with teeth to hold stems) placed at the bottom of the vase first, then fill.

Regional Names of Durga

MAHARASHTRA
In ancient times kings used the feast of Dasara to cross the frontier and fight against their neighboring kingdoms. This border crossing is known as “Simollanghan”. Thus Dasara also marks the beginning of the war season.

GUJARAT, PUNJAB & MAHARASHTA.
Navratri is a festival of worship, dance and music celebrated over a period of nine nights. Devotees perform the devisthaapna in their homes wherein they invite the Goddess and perform ‘pooja-path’ for nine days. Gujaratis perform their traditional dances ‘Garba’ & Dandiya-Raas’ during Navratri.