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Happy Deepavali 

Diwali or Deepavali, popularly known as the "festival of lights", is celebrated between mid-October and mid-November for different reasons. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BC.

 Diwali, Deepavali is a festival celebrated by all Indian irrelevant of their cast, creed and religion with equal enthusiasm and gaiety. While the rest of the Indians are imbued into the festive mood for the advent the Hindu New Year, the agrarian society of India is jubilating for a different reason.

Diwali also known as Divali, Deepavali and the "festival of lights", is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated in autumn every year. The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair.

Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit fusion word Dīpāvali, formed from dīpa (दीप, "light" or "lamp") and āvalī (आवली, "series, line, row"). Dīpāvali or Deepavalli thus meant a "row" or "series of lights".[22] Its celebration include millions of lights shining on housetops, outside doors and windows, around temples and other buildings in the communities and countries where it is observed. Diwali (English pronunciation: /dɨˈwɑːliː/)is variously spelled or pronounced in diverse languages of India: 'deepabali' (Oriya: ଦିପାବଲି), 'deepaboli' (Bengali: দীপাবলী), 'deepavali' (Assamese: দীপাৱলী, Kannada: ದೀಪಾವಳಿ, Malayalam: ദീപാവലി, Tamil: தீபாவளி and Telugu: దీపావళి), 'divali' (Gujarati: દિવાળી, Hindi: दिवाली, Marathi: दिवाळी, Punjabi: ਦੀਵਾਲੀ), 'diyari' (Sindhi: दियारी), and 'tihar' (Nepali: तिहार).

The festival preparations and rituals typically extend over a five day period, but the main festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartik. In the Gregorian calendar, Diwali night falls between mid-October and mid-November.

Diwali dates back to ancient times in India, as a festival after the summer harvest in the Hindu calendar month of Karthikai. The festival is mentioned in Padma Purana, the Skanda Purana, and other Sanskrit Hindu scriptures; the divas (lamps) are mentioned in Skanda Purana to symbolically represent parts of sun, the cosmic giver of light and energy to all life, who seasonally transitions in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik.

Diwali is one of the happiest of holidays in India, with significant preparations. People clean their homes and decorate them for the festivities. Diwali is one of the biggest shopping seasons in India; people buy new clothes for themselves and their families, gifts, appliances, kitchen utensils, small to big ticket items such as cars and gold jewelry. People also buy gifts for family members and friends which typically includes sweets, dry fruits and seasonal specialities depending on regional harvest and customs. It is also the period when little kids hear ancient stories, legends, myths and battle between good and evil, light and darkness from their parents and elders. Girls and women go shopping, and create rangoli and other creative patterns on floors, near doors and walkways. Youth and grown ups graduate to helping with lighting and preparing for patakhe (fireworks).

There is significant variation in regional practices and rituals. Depending on the region, prayers are offered before one or more deities, with most common being Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth and prosperity. On Diwali night, fireworks light up the neighborhood skies. Later, family members and invited friends celebrate the night over food and sweets.

The religious significance of Diwali varies regionally within India, depending on the school of Hindu philosophy, regional myths, legends, and beliefs. Many see Diwali honouring the return of the lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana from exile, as told in the ancient Hindu epic called the Ramayana. To some, Diwali marks the return of Pandavas after 12 years of Vanvas and one year of agyatavas in the other ancient Hindu epic called the Mahabharata. Many other Hindus believe Diwali is linked to the celebration of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and wife of deity Vishnu. The five day festival of Diwali begins on the day Lakshmi was born from the churning of cosmic ocean of milk during the tug of war between the forces of good and forces of evil; the night of Diwali is the day Lakshmi chose Vishnu as her husband and then married him. Some Hindus offer pujas to additional or alternate deities such as Kali, Ganesha, Saraswati, and Kubera. Other Hindus believe that Diwali is the day Vishnu came back to Lakshmi and their abode in the Vaikuntha; so those who worship Lakshmi receive the benefit of her good mood, and therefore are blessed with mental, physical and material well-being during the year ahead.

In India's eastern region, such as West Bengal, Lakshmi is not worshipped, only deity Kali is worshipped and the festival is called Kali Puja.In India's Braj and north central regions, deity Krishna is recognized. People mark Mount Govardhan, and celebrate legends about Krishna. In other regions, the feast of Annakoot is celebrated, with 56 or 108 different cuisines prepared, offered to Krishna, then shared and celebrated by the local community.

In West, South and certain Northern parts of India, the festival of Diwali marks the start of a new Hindu year. Along with Goddess Lakshmi, offerings are made to Ganesha who symbolizes ethical beginnings and fearless remover of obstacles; Saraswati who symbolizes music, literature and learning; and Kubera who symbolizes book keeping, treasury and wealth management.

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തിന്മയുടെ മേൽ നന്മയുടെ വിജയത്തെ ആഘോഷിക്കുന്ന ഉൽസവമാണ്‌ ദീപാവലി അഥവാ ദിവാലി, दिवाली, தீபாவளி. തുലാമാസത്തിലെ അമാവാസി ദിവസമാണ്‌ ദീപാവലി ആഘോഷിച്ചുവരുന്നത്. ദീപങ്ങളുടെ ഉൽസവമായ ഇത്‌ ഹിന്ദു, ജൈന, സിഖ് മതവിശ്വാസികൾ മൺവിളക്കുകൾ തെളിച്ചും പടക്കം പൊട്ടിച്ചും ആഘോഷിക്കുന്നു. ദീപാവലി ദക്ഷിണേന്ത്യൻ ഭാഷകളിൽ (തമിഴ്, തെലുങ്ക്, കന്നഡ, മലയാളം)സംസ്കൃതത്തിലെ അതേപേരിലും മറ്റുഭാഷകളിൽ ദിവാലി എന്ന പേരിലും ആചരിക്കുന്നു. എല്ലാ ഇന്ത്യൻ സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങളിലും ഇത് ആഘോഷിക്കുന്നു.

Before Diwali night, people clean, renovate and decorate their homes. On Diwali night, Hindus dress up in new clothes or their best outfit, light up diyas (lamps and candles) inside and outside their home, participate in family puja typically to Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth and prosperity. After puja (prayers), fireworks follow, then a family feast including mithai (sweets), and an exchange of gifts between family members and close friends.

Diwali also marks a major shopping period in nations where it is celebrated.  On the same night that Hindus celebrate Diwali, Jains celebrate a festival of lights to mark the attainment of moksha by Mahavira, and Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas. Diwali is an official holiday in India,Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji.

 

Diwali is also the end of the cropping season. This is the time of the year when farmers would be getting the results of their sweat and blood. The hard work they do all through the year is supposed to pay results in terms of a healthy crop. Harvesting period generally
bear a lot of prosperity for agrarian society. Thus, the farmers pray to  Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of wealth) for the best results.

The name "Diwali" is a contraction of "Deepavali", दीपावली, Dīpāvalī, which translates into "row of lamps". Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (diyas or dīpas) in Sanskrit: दीप) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.

ദീപം (വിളക്ക്), ആവലി(നിര) എന്നീ പദങ്ങൾ ചേർന്നാണ്‌ ദീപാവലി എന്ന പദം ഉണ്ടായത്, ഇത് ലോപിച്ചാണ്‌ ദീവാളീ എന്നായിത്തീർന്നത്.

ശ്രീരാമൻ 14-വർഷത്തെ വനവാസത്തിനുശേഷം അയോദ്ധ്യയിൽ തിരിച്ചെത്തിയതിനെ പ്രതിനിധീകരിച്ചാണ്‌ ദീപാവലി ആഘോഷിക്കുന്നത്. ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണൻ നരകാസുരനെ വധിച്ചതിന്റെ ആഘോഷം. ജൈനമതവിശ്വാസപ്രകാരം മഹാവീരൻ നിർവാണം പ്രാപിച്ചതിനെ അനുസ്മരിക്കാനായി.

Diwali is a five day festival in many regions of India, with Diwali night centering on the new moon - the darkest night - at the end of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin and the start of the month of Kartika. In the Common Era calendar, Diwali typically falls towards the end of October, or first half of November each year. The darkest night of autumn lit with diyas, candles and lanterns, makes the festival of lights particularly memorable.

 

Diwali is also a festival of sounds and sights with fireworks and rangoli designs; the festival is a major celebration of flavors with feasts and numerous mithai (sweets, desserts),as well as a festival of emotions where Diwali ritually brings family and friends together every year.  Like major festivals of the world, rituals and preparations for the Indian festival Diwali begin days or weeks in advance. The festival formally begins two days before the night of Diwali, and ends two days after. Each day has the following rituals and significance:

അഞ്ചു ദിവസം നീണ്ടു നിൽക്കുന്ന ആഘോഷങ്ങളുണ് ദീപാവലിക്ക്.

Dhanteras kicks off the five day festival. Starting days before and through Dhanteras, houses and business premises are cleaned, renovated and decorated. Women and children decorate entrances with Rangoli - creative colourful floor designs both inside and in the walkways of their homes or offices. Boys and men get busy with external lighting arrangements and completing all renovation work in progress. For some, the day celebrates the churning of cosmic ocean of milk between the forces of good and forces of evil; this day marks the birthday of Lakshmi - the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, and the birthday of Dhanvantari - the Goddess of Health and Healing. On the night of Dhanteras, diyas (lamps) are ritually kept burning all through the nights in honor of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari.

Dhanteras is also a major shopping day, particularly for gold or silver articles. Merchants, traders and retailers stock up, put articles on sale, and prepare for this day. Lakshmi Puja (sometimes spelled Laxmi puja) is performed in the evening. Some people decorate their shops, work place or items symbolizing their source of sustenance and prosperity.

ദീപാവലി ആഘോഷങ്ങളുടെ തുടക്കം ധൻതേരസ് അഥവാ ധനത്രയോദശി ദിവസം ആണ്. അശ്വിനിമാസത്തിലെ കൃഷ്ണപക്ഷ ത്രയോദശി ദിവസമാണ് ഇത്. അന്നേ ദിവസം വീടും വ്യാപാരസ്ഥാപനങ്ങളും അലങ്കരിക്കുകയും ചെയ്ത് വാതിലിൽ രംഗോലി ഇടുന്നു. ഈ ദിവസം വൈകിട്ടു വിളക്കു വച്ച് ധനലക്ഷ്മി ദേവിയെ വീട്ടിലേക്കു ക്ഷണിക്കുകയും  പൂജിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു.

Narak Chaturdasi is the second day of festivities, and is also called Choti Diwali. Typically, house decoration and colourful floor patterns called rangoli are made on or before Narak Chaturdasi. Special bathing rituals such a fragrant oil bath are held in some regions, followed by minor pujas. Women decorate their hands with henna designs. Families are also busy preparing homemade sweets for main Diwali.

ദീപാവലി ആഘോഷത്തിന്റെ രണ്ടാം ദിവസമാണ് നരക ചതുർദശി. അശ്വിനി മാസത്തിലെ കൃഷ്ണപക്ഷ ചതുർദശി ആണ് ഇത്. നരകാസുരനെ വധിച്ച കാളിയെ ആണ് അന്നേ ദിവസം പൂജിക്കുന്നത്.

The third day is the main festive day. People wear new clothes or their best outfits as the evening approaches. Then diyas are lit, pujas are offered to Lakshmi, and to one or more additional deities depending on the region of India; typically Ganesha, Saraswati, and Kubera. Lakshmi symbolises wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead.

ദീപാവലി ആഘോഷങ്ങളുടെ മൂന്നാം ദിവസമാണ് (അമാവാസി) ലക്ഷ്മി പൂജ. ഉത്തര ഭാരതത്തിലെ ദീപാവലി ആഘോഷങ്ങളിൽ പ്രധാനപ്പെട്ടത് ഇതാണ്. അന്നേ ദിവസം ഗണപതി, ലക്ഷ്മിയുടെ മൂന്നു രൂപങ്ങളായ മഹാലക്ഷ്മി, മഹാസരസ്വതി, മഹാകാളി, കുബേരൻ എന്നിവരെ പൂജിക്കുന്നു.

The day after Diwali, is celebrated as Padwa. This day ritually celebrates the love and mutual devotion between the wife and husband.  The husbands give thoughtful gifts, or elaborate ones to respective spouses. In many regions, newly married daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals. Sometimes brothers go and pick up their sisters from their in-laws home for this important day. The day is also a  special day for the married couple, in a manner similar to anniversaries elsewhere in the world. The day after Diwali devotees perform Goverdhan puja in honor of Lord Krishna.

കാർത്തിക മാസത്തിലെ ശുക്ലപക്ഷത്തിലെ ഒന്നാം ദിവസമാണു ബലി പ്രതിപദ
ആഘോഷിക്കുന്നത്. വാമനൻ ചവിട്ടി പാതാളത്തിലേക്കു വിട്ട മഹാബലി നാടുകാണാൻ വരുന്ന ദിവസമാണ് ഇതെന്നാണു വിശ്വാസം. ആചാരങ്ങൾ പല സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങളിലും പലതാണെങ്കിലും, തേച്ചു കുളിയും പുതുവസ്ത്രങ്ങൾ ധരിക്കുന്നതും പരസ്പരം സമ്മാനങ്ങൾ കൊടുക്കുന്നതും പതിവാണ്. ഇതു കൂടാതെ രംഗോലിയോ കോലമോ കൊണ്ടു മുറ്റം അലങ്കരിക്കുക, കളിമണ്ണു കൊണ്ടോ ചാണകം കൊണ്ടോ ഏഴു കോട്ടകൾ പണിയുക, ബലിയെയും ഭാര്യ വിന്ധ്യവലിയെയും പൂജിക്കുക, നിരനിരയായി വിളക്കുകൾ കൊളുത്തി
വയ്ക്കുക എന്നിവയും പതിവുണ്ട്.

The last day of festival is called Bhai dooj (Brother’s second). It celebrates the sister-brother loving relationship, in a spirit similar to Raksha Bandhan  but with different rituals. The day ritually emphasizes the love and lifelong bond between siblings. It is a day when women and girls get together, perform a puja with prayers for the well being of their brothers, then return to a ritual of food-sharing, gift-giving and conversations. In historic times, this was a day in autumn when brothers  would travel to meet their sisters, or bring over their sister’s family  to their village homes to celebrate their sister-brother bond with the bounty of seasonal harvests.

ദീപാവലി ആഘോഷങ്ങളുടെ അഞ്ചാം ദിവസമാണ് ഭാതൃദ്വിതീയ, ബഹു-ബീജ്
ആഘോഷിക്കുന്നത്. ഇതോടു കൂടി ദീപാവലി ആഘോഷങ്ങൾ അവസാനിക്കുന്നു. കാർത്തിക മാസത്തിലെ ശുക്ലപക്ഷത്തിലെ രണ്ടാം ദിവസമാണ് ഈ ആഘോഷം. മരണ ദേവനായ യമൻ സഹോദരി  യമിയെ സന്ദർശിച്ചു എന്നാണ് ഐതിഹ്യം. അതിനാൽ ഈ ദിവസത്തിനെ യമ ദ്വിതീയ
എന്നും വിളിക്കുന്നു.സഹോദരീ സഹോദരന്മാർ ചേർന്നു ചെയ്യുന്ന ആചാരങ്ങളാണ് ഈ ദിവസത്തെ ആഘോഷങ്ങളിൽ പ്രധാനം.

Diwali Lakshmi Puja

Deepavali marks the end of the harvest season in most of India. Farmers give thanks for the bounty of the year gone by, and pray for a good harvest for the year to come. Traditionally this marked the closing of accounts for businesses dependent on the agrarian cycle, and is the last major celebration before winter. Lakshmi symbolizes wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead. ...

There are two legends that associate the worship of Lakshmi on this day. According to the first legend, on this day, Lakshmi emerged from Kshira Sagar, the Ocean of Milk, during the great churning of the oceans, Samudra manthan. The second legend (more popular in western India) relates to the Vamana avatar of the big three Vishnu, the incarnation he assumed to kill the demon king Bali. On this day, Vishnu came back to his abode the Vaikuntha; so those who worship Lakshmi receive the benefit of her benevolent mood, and are blessed with mental, physical and material well-being.

As per spiritual references, on this day "Lakshmi-panchayatan" enters the Universe. Vishnu, Indra, Kubera, Gajendra and Lakshmi are elements of this "panchayatan" (a group of five). The tasks of these elements are:

Lakshmi: Divine Energy (Shakti) which provides energy to all the above activities.

Vishnu: Happiness (happiness and satisfaction)

Kubera: Wealth (generosity; one who shares wealth)
Indra: Opulence (satisfaction due to wealth)
Gajendra: Carries the wealth

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In Kerala Diwali or popularly known locally as Deepavali, falls on the preceding day of the New Moon in the Malayalam month Thulam (October–November). The celebrations are based on the legend of Narakasura Vadha – where Sri Krishna destroyed the demon and the day Narakasura died is celebrated as Deepavali. It commemorates the triumph of good over evil. The story of King Bali is also associated with Diwali by Hindus in Kerala. Unlike other parts of India, and other South Indian states, Deepavali is a low profile festival in Kerala and celebrated mostly by Hindus.

Diwali is celebrated around the world, particularly in countries with significant populations of Hindu, Jain and Sikh origin. These include Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom,United Arab Emirates, and the United States. With more understanding of Indian culture and global migration of people of Indian origin, the number of countries where Diwali/Deepavali is celebrated has been gradually increasing. While in some countries it is celebrated mainly by Indian expatriates, in others it is becoming part of the general local culture. In most of these countries Diwali is celebrated on the same lines as described in this article with some minor variations. Some important variations are worth mentioning.

On this festive festival of peace occasion, Hindu, Jain and Sikh communities also mark charitable causes, kindness, and for peace. For example, at the international border, every year on Diwali, Indian forces approach Pakistani forces and offer traditional Indian sweets on the occasion of Diwali. The Pakistani soldiers anticipating the gesture, return the goodwill with an assortment of Pakistani sweets.

Diwali greetings and prayers

People wish each other Happy Diwali in different Languages:
"Shubha Deepawali" शुभ दीपावली: Greeting in Nepali, Hindi and Sanskrit. "Shubh Diwali" / Diwali ki Shubhkamnayein (दिवाली की शुभकामनाएं): Greeting in Hindi Diwali Mubarak (દીવાળી મુબારક): Greeting in Gujarati Shubh Diwali / Diwalichya hardik Shubhechha (शुभ दिवाली / दिवाळीच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा ): Greeting in Marathi Deepavali Nalvazhthukal (தீபாவளி நல்வாழ்த்துகள்) :Greeting in Tamil Deepavali Shubhakankshalu (దీపావళి శుభాకా౦క్షలు) :Greeting in Telugu Deepavali Aashamsagal ( ദീപാവലി ആശംസകള് ): Greeting in Malayalam. Deepavali Habbada Shubhashayagalu (ದೀಪಾವಳಿ ಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು): Greeting in Kannada Tuhanu diwali diyan boht boht vadhaiyan (ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਦਿਵਾਲੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ ਹੋਣ ): Greeting in Punjabi Subho Deepabalir Preeti O Subechsha (শুভ দীপাবলীর প্রীতি ও শুভেচ্ছা) :Greeting in Bengali Deepavalira Anek Shubhechha (ଦୀପାବଳିର ଅନେକ ଶୁଭେଛା) :Greeting in Oriya "Happy Diwali!" :Greeting in English

Diwali Prayers

The prayers vary widely by region of India. An example vedic prayer from Brhadaranyaka

Upanishad celebrating lights is:
Asato ma sat gamaya | (असतो मा सद्गमय ।)
Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya | (तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।)
Mrityu ma amrutam gamaya | (मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ।)
Om shanti shanti shantihi || (ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥)

Diwali Prayers Translation in English:
From untruth lead us to Truth.
From darkness lead us to Light.
From death lead us to Immortality.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.

Aishwarya Rai turns golden mermaid in Cannes 2014

Aishwarya Rai turns golden mermaid in Cannes 2014

Amazing feeling when you wake up and read praise about AishwaryaAtCannes Aishwarya took everyone's breath away.

Beauty queen Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's red carpet appearance at the 67th Cannes International Film Festival was the most awaited one. She looked picture perfect as she posed in a golden Roberto Cavalli gown for her first appearance. ... indiatoday.intoday.in

Aishwarya Rai & Amber Heard Make First Cannes 2014 Event Appearance! Aishwarya Rai hits the red carpet looking gorgeous at the Two Days, One Night premiere during the 2014 Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday (May 20) in Cannes, France.… ... www.justjared.com

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's red carpet appearance at Cannes 2014 stuns hubby Abhishek Bachchan ... www.glamsham.com

 

Sushmita Sen Miss Universe 1994 Latest Photos

Sushmita Sen (born 19 November 1975) is an Indian film actress, model and beauty pageant title holder. She was crowned Miss Universe 1994[3] by outgoing title holder Dayanara Torres of Puerto Rico at the 43rd edition of the Miss Universe Pageant on 20 May 1994. She was the first Indian to win the crown.

After completing her reign, Sen went on to pursue Bollywood. She started her career with the Hindi film, Dastak. She rose to stardom with the Tamil musical Ratchagan opposite Nagarjuna; later, she attained commercial and critical recognition for her roles in Sirf Tum (1999) and the comedy Biwi No.1 (1999). The latter earned her the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. She has also acted in commercially successful films such as Aankhen (2002), Main Hoon Na (2004) - her biggest commercial success so far - and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? (2005). She received critical acclaim for her female-oriented roles in films such as Filhaal... (2002), Samay: When Time Strikes (2003), Chingaari (2005), Zindaggi Rocks (2006), Aag (2007) and others.

Sushmita plays the role of a successful supermodel called Shimmer in Dulha Mil Gaya, the film was a major commercial failure that year. Sushmita has signed three big projects, one of which reportedly has her portraying the slain Pakistan Peoples Party leader Benazir Bhutto in a film co-produced by Zaid Aziz and Henna Rai of the Karachi production company Vox Vision, and Leicester-based Sum Films. Tentatively titled Benazir Bhutto: The Movie, the film will be shot in locations in Pakistan, the US, Britain and Dubai, where Bhutto spent years as a student and later as a political leader in exile. When Sushmita was asked about this big opportunity, she excitedly said, “Yes, I am keen to play the role.” The second is Farah Khan's untitled venture opposite Salman Khan, with the third one being veteran actress Rekhha's biopic titled "Sitare" under the banner of Red Chillies Entertainment.

She received critical acclaim and box office success for film Aankhen. So far, her biggest hit has been the 2004 movie Main Hoon Na, in which she starred as Shahrukh Khan's love interest. The film grossed a total of Rs 330,000,000 and was the second best selling movie of that year. Later, Sushmita played a lawyer in Main Aisa Hi Hoon opposite Ajay Devgan. In 2005, she also starred in a remake of Cactus Flower, called Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?: Sen played the lead opposite Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif

After her reign as Miss Universe, Sushmita became an actress. Her first film, Dastak was in 1996, in which she played the victim of a stalker played by Sharad Kapoor. Mukul Dev starred as the lead actor. She then starred in the 1997 Tamil, action film Ratchagan. Two years later her appearance as Rupali in David Dhawan's movie Biwi No.1 won her the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award in 1999. Biwi No.1 was the second highest grossing movie of 1999. The same year, she was also nominated for her role in Sirf Tum in the same category, making her an obvious choice for winner. Following her famous dance item song in Fiza known as 'Mehboob Mere', she tried to make a niche for her career in the Indian film cinema.

In 1994, as a teenager, Sen won the title of Femina Miss India. Sen then represented India at the 1994 Miss Universe Pageant, held in Manila, Philippines and won there. At Miss Universe, Sen ranked third overall in the preliminaries, right behind preliminary winner Miss Colombia Carolina Gómez, and Miss Greece Rea Totounzi, who ranked second but won the preliminary swimsuit and evening gown competitions.

 Sen went on to place second, fifth and third in the swimsuit, interview, and evening gown semi-final competitions respectively, placing third place behind Miss Colombia Carolina Gomez and Miss Venezuela Minorka Mercado. All three women went on to be the final three contestants. They had one common question; i.e., "What is the essence of being a woman"? She answered "Being a woman by itself is a gift of God which all of us must appreciate.

The origin of a child is a mother and is a woman and the woman is the one who shares and shows a man what love, caring, and sharing is all about. That's the essence of a woman." In the end, the judges placed their votes on Sen, making her the first woman from India to become Miss Universe. She owns the rights to send delegates from India to the Miss Universe pageant from 2010 onwards through her project I Am She – Miss Universe India.

Often known as the most stylish and glamorous lady of India, Sushmita Sen made history by adopting a baby girl named Renéein 2000. She, as a single woman of only 25 years of age, was not viewed as socially acceptable to obtain the guardianship of the baby. However, the High Court of Bombay quashed the appeal and she obtained gain of cause. On 13 Jan, 2010 she adopted a three-month-old girl and named her Alisah.

Sen was born into a Bengali family in Hyderabad. Her parents are Shuber Sen, a former Indian Air Force Wing Commander, and Subhra Sen, a jewelry designer and owner of a Dubai-based store. She has two siblings, a sister named Neelam and a brother named Rajeev. She has attended Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute in New Delhi and St. Ann's High School in Secunderabad, but did not pursue higher education.