HR41 - Recognizing the festival of Diwali 2025.

      H.R. No. 41       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Diwali, the festival of lights, is being celebrated   across the world by followers of Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and   Buddhism in October 2025; and          WHEREAS, The five-day-long celebration derives its name from   the Sanskrit word dipavali , meaning "row of lights," and it is one   of the largest and most anticipated religious festivals for   adherents of the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh faiths; it spans the dark   half of the lunar month Ashvina and the light half of the lunar   month Karttika, a period that typically falls in late October or   early November on the Gregorian calendar; and          WHEREAS, While Diwali generally symbolizes the victory of   light over darkness, the specific traditions associated with the   holiday vary between regions and religions; Hindus customarily   light diyas , small earthenware lamps filled with oil, on the night   of the new moon to welcome the presence of Lakshmi, the goddess of   wealth and prosperity; the people of Bengal worship the goddess   Kali, while in northern India, the festival celebrates the royal   homecoming of Rama to the city of Ayodhya after vanquishing the king   of demons; in South India, festivities center around another story   of good prevailing over evil, the legend of Krishna's defeat of the   demon Narakasura; and          WHEREAS, For Sikhs, Diwali commemorates the return of Guru   Hargobind, the sixth guru and an important figure in the Sikh faith,   from his captivity in the city of Gwalior; Diwali also holds   tremendous significance to people of the Jain faith, for whom it   represents Mahavira's attainment of nirvana, or complete knowledge   and enlightenment; although it is not a major festival of Buddhism,   it is celebrated by some Buddhists to honor Emperor Ashoka's   conversion to Buddhism in the third century BCE; and          WHEREAS, Diwali is a celebration for people of all ages; in   many homes, wives perform a series of rituals to bless their   husbands with longevity, and husbands present their wives with a   special gift to reward their care and devotion; families, friends,   and colleagues alike also exchange gifts during Diwali as a gesture   of love and affection, and the occasion further includes a feast   complete with a variety of desserts; children participate in a   range of customs, which include lighting diyas and candles and   setting off sparklers, and the final day of the festival   specifically celebrates the bond shared by brothers and sisters;   and          WHEREAS, Every year, the festival of Diwali brings together   more than a billion people across the globe in the spirit of joy,   unity, and hope for humankind, and it is indeed fitting to   acknowledge the profound importance of the holiday to many who   reside in our state; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby recognize the festival of Diwali 2025 and extend   warmest wishes to all those who are taking part in the observance.     Lalani     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 41 was adopted by the House on March   13, 2025, by a non-record vote.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House