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Diwali: Festival of Lights - presented by Gualala Arts

As part of the Gualala Arts Global Harmony Series, there will be a Festival of Lights at Gualala Arts Center on Saturday, October 22, 2011. Last year's Diwali was such a success that everyone is looking forward to the food and beautiful saris. Please feel free to dress in your own sari.

Diwali is an important festival in Hinduism, celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness in India. The festival is celebrated for five continuous days, where the third day is celebrated as the main Diwali festival or 'Festival of Lights.'

On this auspicious day, people light up diyas and candles all around their house. Diya can be defined as a small earthen lamp that is specially lit on Diwali for pujan and decoration purposes. A cotton wick is used in diyas, and oil or ghee serves as the burning fuel. It is basically a symbol of the victory of good over evil, brightness over darkness, and truth over falsity.

A dance troupe will perform Laxmi Puja in the evening and seek divine blessings of Goddess of Wealth along with a fashion show of saris.

Saris are woven with one plain end (the end that is concealed inside the wrap), two long decorative borders running the length of the sari, and a one to three foot section at the other end which continues and elaborates the length-wise decoration. This end is called the pallu; it is the part thrown over the shoulder in the nivi style of draping.

A vegetarian dinner is planned using the spices, herbs and vegetables used in Indian cuisine.

5:00 p.m. Doors Open 5:30 p.m. Offering
6:00 p.m. Appetizers & Dance Performance
7:00 p.m. Dinner
8:00 p.m. Dessert & Fashion Show
9:00 p.m. Dandia Ras (open dance)

Reservations are $35 in advance and $5 more after October 14, if available. To make reservations in person, visit the Gualala Arts Center.