Fairfax Station Temple to Celebrate Diwali

Hundreds of locals Hindus will spend Wednesday evening celebrating Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, in temples across the D.C. metro region.

“Diwali is a festival which is celebrated throughout India. It’s a festival of lights and where we celebrate removing the evil and bringing the good in the light,” said Sant Gupta, who attends the in Fairfax Station.

Equivalent to the Hindu New Year, the celebration reflects a story in the Bhagavad Gita, or their holy book. It’s when .

They celebrate his return with feasts, music, praying and the lighting of lamps.

Vijay Kushawaha, volunteer coordinator with The Hindu Temple of Metropolitan, Washington in Adelphi, MD said the five-day festival started Monday, each day marking a spiritual cleansing for Hindus.

However, each region of India celebrates Diwali differently based on its own cultural interpretations.

Kushawaha said traditionally, on the first day, Hindus buy new dishes, utensils, or gold marking the auspicious occasion. On the second day, they should clean their home, to welcome god into their lives, getting rid of any demons.

The third day marks the official Diwali celebration, or the celebration of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesh, the God of auspicious beginnings, she said. It brings good fortune and well being into their home. The fourth day Hindus celebrate Lord Krishna by offering him a “mountain of food.”

The final day is a celebration of brotherhood and celebrated with the exchanging of gifts between siblings.

Abahay Das, the community secretary of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in Potomac, MD, said for Hare Krishnas, the entire month is a holy for them.

“We are orthodox in that way, as opposed to observing it as another holiday,” Das said.

Several temples will celebrate Diwali this week:

Durga Temple of Virginia
8400 Durga Place Fairfax Station, VA 22039
Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Sri Venkateswara Lotus Temple
12501 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
Thursday, 11 a.m.

The Hindu Temple of Metropolitan, Washington
10001 Riggs Road, Adelphi, MD 20783
Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

International Society for Krishna Consciousness
10310 Oaklyn Drive, Potomac, MD
Wednesday, 6 p.m.

Greater Baltimore Hindu-Jain Temple
2909 Bloom Road, Finksburg, MD 21048
Wednesday and Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

Washington Kali Temple
16126 New Columbia Pike Burtonsville, MD 20866
Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

Editor Rachel Hatzipanagos contributed to this report.