Seasonal Greetings for Deepawali - 2008

Dear Members:

Deepavali festivities and associated spiritual practices begin from October 25, 2008 and extend till October 28, 2008 (for Fiji till October 29, 2008) - right from Dhantreyas on October 25, 2008 in USA, Canada, etc. (for other countries to the East of Atlantic, it is on October 26, 2008) and ending with Diwali Lakshmi Pooja/ Kedaara Gowri vratam on October 28, 2008.

It is auspicious to light Yamaa Deepam (a lamp in Honour of Lord Yamaa - the God of Death) on Naraka Chaturdasi day on October 26, 2008. Let us light lamps on this day and pray for peace of various souls who perished in various terror attacks around the world. It is customary to gift a lamp to a learned Pandit on this day. (those who are well-off will even give a gift of silver lamp to vedic pandits on that day; others can gift earthenware lamps; the lamp should be lit and then given in gift to a learned and competent person learned in the scriptures praying for wisdom, health, and long life. If you can't find a suitable person to receive this gift, just place the lamp in a temple).

May the festival of lights bring fresh hopes for all of us. May the demons of greed, jealousy, vascillating tendencies, and unethical practices be overcome by the Divine Light that resides in all of us.

May this Diwali season bring fresh hopes for us in these days of turmoil. May Maa Lakshmi visit us all and Bless us and all our near ones in every way during this season.

Blessed be.

Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI
Astrological and Remedial consultant
dakshinastrologer@yahoo.co.in