The Olympic flame

The Olympic flame represents a number of things, including purity and the endeavor for perfection. The lighting of the Olympic flame is a practice continued from the ancient Olympic Games. It all starts at the ancient site of Olympia in Greece, where a flame is ignited by the sun rays reflected off a curved mirror, and then kept burning until the closing of the Olympic Games. The flame is lit by women dressed in ancient-style robes, resembling those worn in ancient times, and using a curved mirror and the sun. The idea of an Olympic Flame burning from the start of the games to the closing was first introduced in 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam, where a fire was lit in the tower of the stadium, though no torch relay was undertaken during that game.

096 Deepavali Greetings

Olympic Flame

"Olympic Flame light of Spirit"


Olympic Maxim card

The tradition of lighting an Olympic Flame comes from the ancient Greeks. During the Ancient Olympic Games, a sacred flame was lit from the sun’s rays at Olympia, and stayed lit until the Games were completed. This flame represented the "endeavor for protection and struggle for victory." It was first introduced into our Modern Olympics at the 1928 Amsterdam Games. Since then, the flame has come to symbolize "the light of spirit, knowledge, and life."
The Torch Relay also began in the Ancient Olympics and was revived at the 1936 Berlin Games. Originally, the torch was lit at Olympia in Greece and then carried by relay to the host-city of the games. The last runner carries the torch into the Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony. The flame is then lit from the torch and will remain lit until it is extinguished during the Closing Ceremony. The Torch Relay symbolizes the passing of Olympic traditions from one generation to the next!

The Olympic Torch is passed from runner to runner from the ancient site of Olympia to the Olympic stadium in the hosting city. The flame is then kept alight until the Games have concluded. The Olympic Torch relay represents a continuation from the ancient Olympic Games to the modern Olympics.

Deepavali Greetings

Wishing you all a very
Happy & Prosperous Deepavali !!

Deepavali, or Diwali as it is popularly called, is one of the biggest festivals of India. Diwali is observed mostly by those belonging to Hindus, Sikhs and Jain religions in India , each community celebrating Diwali for different reasons. The word Deepavali comes from the Sanskrit word which means row of lights. During Deepavali streets are illuminated and houses are decorated and clay lamps are lit. Deepavali signifies "the awareness of the inner light". This festive occasion also marks the beginning of the Hindu new year and Lord Ganesha along with Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on the Deepawali day.It is believed that the Hindu goddess of good luck visits homes that are brightly lit. The first day of Diwali is also the Hindu New Year and New Year of Business. Diwali festival is a national holiday in India. Deepavali festival is also referred to as the 'festival of lights' because of the fireworks and diyas associated with this festival. The word 'Deepavali' literally means rows of diyas (clay lamps). Diwali is an occasion of gifts, sweets and feast, fire works, new dresses and puja. Deepawali also symbolises "the victory of righteousness over evil and the lifting of spiritual darkness". Diwali greeting Cards are also send on the occasion of Deepavali to friends and relatives wishing them wealth, health and prosperity. However, these days the normal greeting cards have given way to e-greetings. The date on which this day falls this year is Friday, 5th November 2010.