Dear Editor,
Reference is made to the raging controversy surrounding the date for the Diwali holiday (Nov 10 or 11); it is noted that some countries (even communities within some countries) are celebrating on one or the other day. In Trinidad, it is on Nov 10 whereas in Suriname the holiday is on the 11th as is India, Singapore, Mauritius, Fiji, Durban (South Africa), etc. In New York, the parking holiday or school excused day is on Nov 11. In Suriname, I read a website that says Laxmi puja (associated with Diwali) will be held on the 10th and the holiday is on the 11th. Hindu religious dates should not and must never be “politicized” (determined by politician). Politicians should not take sides or get into the act on the actual date of religious celebrations; that is a matter for religious figures to sort out based on the correct interpretation of the moon.
As the Hindu calendar (religious days) is lunar determined and Diwali tied to the rise of the new moon, Hindu scholars (Pandits, swamis, sadhus, etc.) have to interpret the calendar and arrive at a consensus on the date of Diwali. Although Diwali originated in India, religious dates (for Diwali, Holi, etc.) may not coincide with other locations because of difference in time with India being 9.5 to 10.5 hours ahead.
Some religious days correspond with India because the new moon happens to fall on the same day in both East (India) and West (America or Guyana).
As explained to me by Pandit Swasti Dubey of Maha Lakshmi Mandir, Diwali is tied to the Amavasya Tithi or new moon. The moon does not necessarily have “to appear” during the night; many a times, the new moon appears during daylight. This year, Pt. Swasti claims that the new moon begins on Nov 10 at approximately 12:53 (PM) and ends at approximately at 14:46 on Nov 11 (ends before sun down) and as such must be celebrated on the evening of the 10th. Other religious scholars give varying times for the Amavasya Tithi. The Amavasya Tithi varies according to location with most of the new moon appearing on the 11th in the eastern hemisphere.
Thus, the Diwali celebration falling on that day in places like Australia, New Zealand, India, and Africa.
The Hindu religious authorities in Guyana need to get together and study the astrology (astronomy) and come to a decisive conclusion on the matter. Representatives of all the Hindu bodies (not only those affiliated with the government) have to come together to make that determination. The Arya Samaj leadership informed me that an Indian scholar (from India) was consulted and his interpretation is that Diwali is on Nov 11th but it is not clear if he was asked (inadvertently) for the date as it pertains to India or Guyana.
At any rate, regardless of the interpretation, Hindus are reminded that Diwali is not a one day affair.
It is celebrated five days before the new moon and concludes one day after the new moon with Goberdhan puja. Thus, regardless of the day one chooses to celebrate the festival with rituals, their puja will not go to waste. The real issue is over the date of the holiday.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram