2016 USPS Festival Of Diwali Forever Stamps 100Pcs/Pack

The joyous Hindu festival of Diwali is the latest religious celebration to be recognized by the U.S. Postal Service. Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Diwali is a shortened version of the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which roughly translates as “a necklace of lights.” On the Hindu calendar, it falls on the eve of, or on, the new moon that occurs between mid-October and mid-November. In 2016, the main day of the festival will be celebrated on October 29 for South Indians and October 30 for North Indians. Diwali also marks the new year for people in Gujarat and a few other states of India.

Before the festival, many Hindus traditionally go shopping, clean their homes, open their doors and windows, create intricate rangoli a vibrant floor pattern traditionally made from materials such as rice powder, colored sand, and flower petals and light diyas with hopes that Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, will visit. In some regions of India, people play games, just as Hindu lore says that the god Shiva did. On the festive main day of the holiday, families pray for Lakshmi, dress up in their best clothes, enjoy lavish feasts and sweets, exchange gifts, and light fireworks.

The stamp design is a photograph featuring a traditionally lit diya oil lamp, sitting on a gold background. Diya lamps are usually made from clay with cotton wicks dipped in a clarified butter known as “ghee” or vegetable oils.