- Video shows residents celebrating Diwali and the Chinmaya Mission in Bakersfield.
- Diwali is the biggest Indian festival. It celebrates Rama’s triumph over Ravana, signaling the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
“Diwali is the festival of lights, and we celebrate it because on this day, Lord Rama, who is the incarnation of God, destroyed the evil Ravana,” Anil Mehta said.
Anil Mehta, President of the Chinmaya of Bakersfield, a Hindu cultural center, says when Lord Rama returned to his kingdom –
“He was welcomed by people with lights,” Mehat said, “Today is a victory of good over evil, light over darkness, which means knowledge over ignorance.”
The celebration started at with a worship.
“We do Lakshmi Puja on this day, on the Diwali day. [Lakshmi] is the Goddess of wealth, and we pray to her to give us inner wealth,” said Neeru Mehta.
Neeru Mehta is the organizer for the Sunday school at Chinmaya and says Diwali is –
“A festive atmosphere, people visit each other’s houses, buy gifts for each other, and it’s like friendship and festival.”