| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Diwali, the festival of lights, is being celebrated |
|
|
across the world by followers of Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and |
|
|
Buddhism on November 12, 2023; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The five-day-long celebration derives its name from |
|
|
the Sanskrit word dipavali, meaning "row of lights," and it is one |
|
|
of the largest and most anticipated religious festivals for |
|
|
adherents of the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh faiths; it spans the dark |
|
|
half of the lunar month Ashvina and the light half of the lunar |
|
|
month Karttika, which typically falls in late October and November |
|
|
on the Gregorian calendar; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, While Diwali generally symbolizes the victory of |
|
|
light over darkness, the specific traditions associated with the |
|
|
holiday vary between regions and religions; Hindus customarily |
|
|
light diyas, small earthenware lamps filled with oil, on the night |
|
|
of the new moon to welcome the presence of Lakshmi, the goddess of |
|
|
wealth and prosperity; the people of Bengal worship the goddess |
|
|
Kali, while in northern India, the festival celebrates the royal |
|
|
homecoming of Rama to the city of Ayodhya after vanquishing the king |
|
|
of demons; in South India, festivities center around another story |
|
|
of good prevailing over evil, the legend of Krishna's defeat of the |
|
|
demon Narakasura; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, For Sikhs, Diwali commemorates the return of Guru |
|
|
Hargobind, the sixth guru and an important figure in the Sikh faith, |
|
|
from his captivity in the city of Gwalior; Diwali also holds |
|
|
tremendous significance to people of the Jain faith, for whom it |
|
|
represents Mahavira's attainment of nirvana, or complete knowledge |
|
|
and enlightenment; although it is not a major festival of Buddhism, |
|
|
it is celebrated by some Buddhists to honor Emperor Ashoka's |
|
|
conversion to Buddhism in the 3rd century BCE; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Diwali is a celebration for people of all ages; in |
|
|
many homes, wives perform a series of rituals to bless their |
|
|
husbands with longevity, and husbands present their wives with a |
|
|
special gift to reward their care and devotion; families, friends, |
|
|
and colleagues alike also exchange gifts during Diwali as a gesture |
|
|
of love and affection, and the occasion further includes a feast |
|
|
complete with a variety of desserts; children participate in a |
|
|
range of customs, which include lighting diyas and candles and |
|
|
setting off sparklers, and the final day of the festival |
|
|
specifically celebrates the bond shared by brothers and sisters; |
|
|
and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Every year, the festival of Diwali brings together |
|
|
more than a billion people across the globe in the spirit of joy, |
|
|
unity, and hope for humankind, and it is indeed fitting to |
|
|
acknowledge the profound importance of the holiday to many who |
|
|
reside in our state; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
|
|
Legislature, 3rd Called Session, hereby recognize the festival of |
|
|
Diwali 2023 and extend warmest wishes to all those who are taking |
|
|
part in the observance. |
| |
|
|
Lalani |
|
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
|
Speaker of the House |
| |
|
|
I certify that H.R. No. 86 was adopted by the House on |
|
|
November 1, 2023, by a non-record vote. |
|
|
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
| |