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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Diwali, the festival of lights, is being celebrated |
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across the world by followers of Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and |
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Buddhism in October 2025; and |
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WHEREAS, The five-day-long celebration derives its name from |
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the Sanskrit word dipavali, meaning "row of lights," and it is one |
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of the largest and most anticipated religious festivals for |
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adherents of the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh faiths; it spans the dark |
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half of the lunar month Ashvina and the light half of the lunar |
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month Karttika, a period that typically falls in late October or |
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early November on the Gregorian calendar; and |
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WHEREAS, While Diwali generally symbolizes the victory of |
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light over darkness, the specific traditions associated with the |
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holiday vary between regions and religions; Hindus customarily |
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light diyas, small earthenware lamps filled with oil, on the night |
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of the new moon to welcome the presence of Lakshmi, the goddess of |
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wealth and prosperity; the people of Bengal worship the goddess |
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Kali, while in northern India, the festival celebrates the royal |
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homecoming of Rama to the city of Ayodhya after vanquishing the king |
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of demons; in South India, festivities center around another story |
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of good prevailing over evil, the legend of Krishna's defeat of the |
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demon Narakasura; and |
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WHEREAS, For Sikhs, Diwali commemorates the return of Guru |
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Hargobind, the sixth guru and an important figure in the Sikh faith, |
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from his captivity in the city of Gwalior; Diwali also holds |
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tremendous significance to people of the Jain faith, for whom it |
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represents Mahavira's attainment of nirvana, or complete knowledge |
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and enlightenment; although it is not a major festival of Buddhism, |
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it is celebrated by some Buddhists to honor Emperor Ashoka's |
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conversion to Buddhism in the third century BCE; and |
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WHEREAS, Diwali is a celebration for people of all ages; in |
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many homes, wives perform a series of rituals to bless their |
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husbands with longevity, and husbands present their wives with a |
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special gift to reward their care and devotion; families, friends, |
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and colleagues alike also exchange gifts during Diwali as a gesture |
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of love and affection, and the occasion further includes a feast |
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complete with a variety of desserts; children participate in a |
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range of customs, which include lighting diyas and candles and |
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setting off sparklers, and the final day of the festival |
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specifically celebrates the bond shared by brothers and sisters; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Every year, the festival of Diwali brings together |
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more than a billion people across the globe in the spirit of joy, |
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unity, and hope for humankind, and it is indeed fitting to |
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acknowledge the profound importance of the holiday to many who |
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reside in our state; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize the festival of Diwali 2025 and extend |
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warmest wishes to all those who are taking part in the observance. |