Hindu holiday

11/16/2001
Pandit Anant Dixit does a good luck blessing for the Hindu Festival of Diwali for the new year. Dutton REL HINDUP 2 NOV 14 2001
Pandit Anant Dixit does a good luck blessing for the Hindu Festival of Diwali for the new year. Dutton REL HINDUP 2 NOV 14 2001

Pandit Anant Dixit offers blessings to the more than 30 families who attended the Diwali, or "Festival of Lights," celebration Wednesday night at the Hindu Temple in Sylvania.

One of the most popular Hindu holidays, Diwali commemorates the crowning of Sri Rama and honors Goddess Lakshmi.

The celebrations are observed worldwide and include decorating with rows of lights, wearing new clothes, cleaning homes, and exchanging sweets and presents.

The inner significance of Diwali is to lead man from darkness to light, Pandit Dixit explained.