Diwali Festival of Light Brightens Library Saturday Afternoon

Above, KP Sompally greets Congressman Jake Auchincloss upon his arrival at the Library's Diwali celebration

Color, sound, and plenty of people, including Fourth District Congressman Jake Auchincloss, were among the most obvious impressions one might have taken from a visit to the Franklin Public Library Saturday afternoon.

Organized in part under the auspices of the children and young adults’ programs of the library, the Diwali event spontaneously transformed into a community celebration of Indian culture, with cumulative attendance estimated at 400 by KP Sompally.

The event featured Bollywood dances, song, painting for kids, and brunch boxes for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

According to Sompally, Diwali, (also spelled Divali), is one of the major festivals in India, lasting for five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina to the second day of the light half of the lunar month Karttika. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” the festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. The third day of Diwali is celebrated on Thursday, November 4, 2021.

Diwali’s most widespread custom is the lighting of diyas (small earthenware lamps filled with oil) on the night of the new moon to invite the presence of Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth). Diwali celebrations vary somewhat among different India regions, he noted.