Date: Sun, 26 May 1996 11:14:08 -0400
To: Athena Discuss 
Subject: Egyptian Feast of Lamps and Hindu Divali Festival

David Meadows wrote:
> 
> [Herodotus Book II cont.]
> 
(( cuts ))
> 50. "At Sais, when the assembly takes place for the sacrifices, there is one
> night on which the inhabitants all burn a multitude of lights in the open
> air round their houses. They use lamps in the shape of flat saucers filled
> with a mixture of oil and salt, on the top of which the wick floats. These
> burn the whole night, and give to the festival the name of the Feast of
> Lamps. The Egyptians who are absent from the festival observe the night of
> the sacrifice, no less than the rest, by a general lighting of lamps; so
> that the illumination is not confined to the city of Sais, but extends over
> the whole of Egypt. And there is a religious reason assigned for the special
> honour paid to this night, as well as for the illumination which accompanies
> it."

Apropos nothing in particular,
this Egyptian "Feast of Lamps" sounds quite similar to the Hindu 
Divali festival.  I wonder if there is any connection.
 
Regards,

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