Diwali

Diwali, a contraction of the word "Deepavali" is a festival celebrated by Hindus all around the world in mid-October to mid-November every year. It is a celebration of lights and signifies the triumph of good over evil. Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshman, from his fourteen-year-long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen deeyas (oil lamps) and burst firecrackers. Diwali also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year.

On this day many Hindus start the day with a cleansing ritual. After a bath, they put on their finest East Indian clothing and start the day with pooja or Hindu prayers. Most people clean their homes before the special day to welcome the new year and some even go as far as to white wash their homes on this day. Flowers are placed as decorations throughout the house. This is because Mother Lakshmi, the Goddess of light, wealth and prosperity loves flowers. She is one of the most important Goddesses of the festival and windows are opened so that She can enter. It is believed that Mother Lakshmi cannot enter a house that is not lit up, so every household lights deeyas to light the way for the Goddess, which is why the holiday is also known as the Festival of Lights.

Hindus prepare a wide range of delicious mouth watering East Indian dishes and delicacies in observance of this festival that is shared among families, neighbours and friends. It is a very exciting and colourful holiday which many people all around the world observe regardless of religion, race and culture. Children generally have a holiday from school in observance of this festival and most persons have no work. Firecrackers are set off to ward off evil spirits during this, the darkest night of the year. This is Diwali in Trinidad and Tobago. In different parts of the world, however, Diwali is celebrated very much differently.

 

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Wouldn’t you like to know how Diwali is celebrated elsewhere, how things that you might find bizarre are wonderful to others? If you would, then follow my friends and myself through a vibrant world of culture to learn everything you need to know about Diwali!