Happy Diwali

Diwali or Dipawali as it is also known, is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians.

Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival that's also enjoyed by non-Hindu communities. For instance, in Jainism, Diwali marks the nirvana, or spiritual awakening, of Lord Mahavira on October 15, 527 B.C.; in Sikhism, it honors the day that Guru Hargobind Ji, the Sixth Sikh Guru, was freed from imprisonment. Buddhists in India celebrate Diwali as well. - excerpt from https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/geography/general-geography/facts-about-diwali/

Today in Centre Square Middlesbrough there is a free celebration event of Diwali for all to enjoy, music, dance, food & fireworks display 12pm - 6pm. At this time the great goddess Lakshmi is worshipped, Lakshmi is the goddess of abundance, wealth, love, prosperity, beauty, fortune, luck, power and happiness. Diwali is a celebration of the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and peace over war. If we can find peace & love within and share this peace and love the world can shine brightly. Whether you feel called to acknowledge this time of year or not, there is an important message here and it can be a time to realise that there is light, & greatness in us all. The dance of life is abundant with beauty and grace if we can pause to appreciate this wealth of our existence, a rich glorious tapestry of a love story is unfolding every day. The main day of celebration is Sunday, and our Yin Yoga session tomorrow evening will be connected to Lakshmi, and be an opening to love with some heart opening practices and poses. I hope you'll join me. With love & light. Om Shrim Mahalakshmayei Namaha.