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Diwali Celebration LbNA #44259

Owner:TrailTroll
Plant date:Oct 28, 2008
Location:
City:Novi
County:Oakland
State:Michigan
Boxes:1
Found by: Plymouth Seekers
Last found:May 21, 2016
Status:FFOFFFFFF
Last edited:Oct 17, 2015
Diwali, or Deepavali, is a major Indian and Nepalese festival, and a significant festival in Hinduism. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Light," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being . Diwali is celebrated on the first day of the lunar Kartika month, which comes in the month of October or November. In 2008, this day is on October 28.

In many parts of India, it is the homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest. Your Diwali quest is in the “forest” at Lakeshore Park in Novi, on the southern edge of Walled Lake. Don’t worry, you won’t be exiled – you will just take a short journey. (Note: when I planted this, there was no fee. Now they are charging $5 if you're not a resident of Novi. I don't know how regularly the guard booth is staffed, but it could cost you to enter.)

The people of his kingdom welcomed Rama by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deepa), thus its name, Deepawali, or simply shortened as Diwali. While Deepavali is popularly known as the "festival of lights", the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the inner light". Central to Hindu philosophy is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Deepavali is the celebration of this Inner Light. With the realization of the Atman comes universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings Ananda (Inner Joy or Peace). Diwali celebrates this through festive fireworks, lights, flowers, sharing of sweets, and worship.

As you begin your trek down the trail, you will originally celebrate the “oneness of all things”. However, the paths soon diverge, and you will be forced to choose between “us” and “them”. Consider your mode of travel when making your selection.

You will climb a small hill – perhaps ascending to higher knowledge. Follow the straight and (increasingly) narrow path to enlightenment. You will pass an unmarked post – awareness has not been granted yet. At this point, you have an opportunity to join “them”, but do not stray. As you proceed, you will have another temptation to join “them” on the opposite side, but remain true. Eventually, all paths converge, and you again enjoy the oneness of the universe.

If your quest has tired you, you may rest here, but do not linger. Proceed down the path that is nearer the rising sun, for there light will shine first on Diwali. This will lead you to another resting point, where you may reflect on your journey. At this juncture, turn away from your original course, but do not cross “them”.

At the next decision point, turn left at unmarked post, and then continue on “our” trail, and you will pass an area suggestive of Diwali fireworks**. On the right is a denuded “candle”, and a pile of debris that could be spent fireworks. Beyond this you will pass under a slender finger arching over the trail, and find a second candle with evidence of fireworks nearby.

According to one theory Diwali may have originated as a harvest festival, marking the last harvest of the year before winter. In an agrarian society this results in businessmen closing accounts, and beginning a new accounting year. The deity of wealth in Hinduism, goddess Lakshmi, is therefore thanked on this day and everyone prays for a good year ahead. This is the common factor in Diwali celebrations all over the Indian subcontinent. On the right of the trail at this point, you will see a many-trunked tree. As Lakshmi is a multi-armed goddess, she has chosen to await your arrival in this tree.

**3/2012: Updated clues because the surroundings have changed a bit. After last marked post, walk about 100 steps. The multi-armed goddess is pretty easy to recognize.

Length: 1 mile