Diwali Stamps

In 2022, the U.S. Postal Service@ celebrates the joyous festival of Diwali, which is also known as Deepavali. One of the mostimportant annual Hindu events, the holiday celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Spanning five davs each autumn, it isconsidered by some to be the start of the new year.

Diwal is a shortened version of the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which roughly translates as a necklace of ights. During Diwalflickering oilwick lamps called diyas dot the homes of observers around the world. The stamp features a traditional diyaagainst a background of glimmering gold and flower petals.

The meaning of Diwali often depends on regional identity on the indian subcontinent, but Hindu stories provide a frameworkfor the significance of the festival. For many people in the north of lndia, the holiday honors the return of Rama, an incarnationor avatar of the god Vishnu, after a long period of exile. For some in the south of india. it marks the defeat of the demonNarakasura by Krishna, another incaration of Vishnu. Others commemorate Vishnu's decision to make King Bal ruler of theunderworld.

Before the festival, many Hindus go shopping;, clean their homes; open their doors and windows; create intricate rangoli, avibrant floor pattern traditionally made from materials such as rice powder, colored sand, and flower petals, and light diyas withhopes that Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, wilvisit. in some regions of lndia, people gamble and play gamesjust as Hindu lore says that deity Shiva did. On the festive main day of the holiday, families pray to Lakshmi, dress up in theirbest clothes, enjoy lavish feasts and sweets, exchange gifts, and ight fireworks. Diwali also marks the new year for people irGuiarat and a few other states in India.

Diwali is an important festival in several religions, Buddhists honor ancient indian Emperor Ashoka's conversion to BuddhismJains commemorate the teacher Mahavira's attainment of iberation from the cvcle of life and death, Sikhs celebrate thefreeing of guru Hargobind from captivity.

On the Hindu calendar, Diwali falls on the eve of or on the new moon that occurs between mid-October and mid-November. n2022, the main day of the festival will be celebrated on October 4.

The Diwali stamp is being issued as a Forever® stamp, This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the curent FirstClass Mail® one-ounce price.

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