Explanation why Diwali should not be on October 30

Oct 15, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
I was startled, shocked and could not believe what was written at page 35 of the Sunday edition of the Kaieteur News (Oct. 9) under the caption, “Diwali observance set for October 30,” when we all know (or are supposed to know) that October 29th was declared a National Holiday in observance of Diwali. Though it was a Press Release from Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, it was so worded to deceive, as is their wont. Let me mention that K.N. chose not to publish my letter dated 5th October on the methodology of arriving at the date for Diwali.
DIWALI
Many persons posit the view that Diwali is to be observed on the darkest night. This is a popular misconception. According to all Texts, Diwali is celebrated on the evening of the New Moon (Amaavasya). Each Phase of the Moon has a time-span, which is given hereunder.
1st day of Diwali – from 6:45am on 27th to 8:50am on the 28th. (Dhanteras Oct. 27)
2nd day of Diwali – from 8:50am on the 28th to 11:09 on the 29th. (Narak Chaturdasi Oct. 28) 3rd day (Amaavasya) – from 11:09 on the 29th to 1:37pm on the 30th. (Diwali Oct. 29) Which is the evening of Amaavasya? Of course, the 29th October. For religious purposes, the rule is, “Where a Tithi (moon’s phase) requires the performance of a Vrat (religious act), that performance must be within the period of the Tithi.” Diwali must be observed within the time-frame of the moon’s phase. As Jehovah God caused the sun and the moon to stand still so that Joshua and the Israelites could defeat the Amorites, Dharmic Sabha is making the moon to “stand still” at 1:37pm on the 30th so that it can celebrate Diwali on the evening of the 30th. But the moon changes to the next phase at 1:38pm; it does not wait on anyone. Guyana shares the same Time Zone as Canada, USA, and the Caribbean. All these countries will be celebrating Diwali on October 29; Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is the only organization within this time zone that will be doing so on the 30th. The strange thing is, it has no supporting text for its position. Those who have a doubt, or wish for certainty, can check the Panchangs (Astrological Tables). They are now in English – 5 of them, and have been made for people in the west who cannot use the Hindi versions. We all use them for naming babies, in marriages, building homes, making purchases, in sickness and problems, to check what work we must do, in death, etc. etc. What is wrong with them now? Is it because they have the date for Diwali as the 29th, which some don’t like? Are all these Panchangs wrong? There is no book which has Diwali for the 30th.
Those who wish for scientific evidence can go to NASA, which agrees with all our Panchangs. According to NASA, the Moon’s darkest phase will be at 1:37pm on the 30th October. The Moon starts to get bigger and brighter after 1:37pm on the 30th. The night of the 30th, therefore, is not the darkest period; 1:37pm is. Each of the Moon’s 30 phases can occur at any time of the day, not necessarily during the night. Full moon, for example, can be at 8:00am; it starts to get smaller and darker after 8:00am. Similarly, with the New Moon; it can be during the day, like on the 30th. However, because of the Sunlight, we do not see them. Those who celebrate Diwali on the evening of the 30th will be doing so during the bright period of the moon.
I am prepared to defend this position at any forum. I hope my letter will be given the consideration that it deserves.
Pt. R. Balbadar
Editor’s note; Pandit Balbadar’s letter was published on October 10, under the caption, “Guidelines for understanding the date of Diwali.”

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