Diwali - Pane of 20 Forever Postage Stamps Scott 5142

The USPS Diwali forever stamp, celebrates and honors the joyous Asian Indian festival of Diwali, also known as Festival of Lights. The stamp design is a photograph featuring a traditional diya oil lamp beautifully lit, sitting on a sparkling gold background. Diya lamps are usually made from clay with cotton wicks dipped in a clarified butter known as “ghee” or in vegetable oils. Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Spanning 5 days each autumn, it is considered by some to be the start of the new year. On the Hindu calendar, Diwali falls on the eve of the new moon that occurs in Autumn. Diwali is a shortened version of the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which translates as “a necklace of lights.” During Diwali, the flickering oil-wick diyas sprinkle the homes of observers around the world. Before the festival, many Indians traditionally go shopping, clean their homes, create intricate Rangoli — a vibrant floor pattern traditionally made from materials such as rice powder, colored sand and flower petals — and light diyas inviting Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, 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 Sally Andersen-Bruce photographed the diya. Greg Breeding designed the stamp and William J. Gicker service as the project’s art director. The Diwali stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp. This Forever stamp will also be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.