Diwali

What is Diwali?

Diwali is one of the most famous and the most popular Hindu festivals in India. It is a diminutive of “Deepavali” which means “rows of lights” : so we can say that this festival is also known as “Festival of Lights”.

When is it celebrated?

Each year, this five-day festival is celebrated between October and November. It is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha of the Hindu calendar: it celebrates the transition to the New Year. This festival of lights transcends religion and is unanimously celebrated by Indians worldwide. It’s like Christmas or The New Year but in Hindu countries.

And what about the (hi)story?

This festival has a link with the Hinduism. It’s your own choice to choose to believe, or not, the history of that festival. According to Hindu mythology, it celebrates the return of Lord Rama who returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana who symbolises eveil. After Lord Rama’s victory, Ravana was exiled for 14 years. This festival symbolises the victory of good over evil. As I said, it is celebrated over 5 days, and that’s because the story also lasts 5 days.

LordRama                                                                         

Lord Ravana

How?

During Diwali, people greet each other by saying “Happy Diwali”. People love this festival. They decorate their houses with flowers and candles; they buy candies, toys, fireworks. Most people decorate their houses with lot of colours, ring bells or Rangoli (it’s their specific pattern) etc. They say that it’s a way to welcome Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth and health.

To celebrate, they invite their family, they cook a big dinner and before eating, they pray for wealth and prosperity afterwards they can eat. Then, they go to the biggest place in their town (for example, for us it would be La Grand Place) to see lights all over the city.

During the festival, all Hindu countries are lit with candles in the shape of a lotus. The candles symbolise the light of hope and joy in obscurity of a person’s life, to join happiness and love instead of ignorance, hatred and violence.

What do people do during these five days?

On the first day (which is called Dhan Teras), in the evening, children light crackers, and people also light some earthen lamps outside their home.

On the second day (which is called the Kali Chaudas), people go to each other’s homes to wish “a Happy and Prosperous Diwali” and also exchange gifts and sweets.

On the third day (which is called Diwali), people light candles in their homes and the streets all across India light up with sparklers, crackers and fairy lights. After going shopping, in the evening with their families, people visit temples and churches to light candles. This day is the most important day of the festival.

On the fourth day (which is called Govardhan), people go and see their family and those who have instruments play music.

On the fifth day (which is called Bhai Dooj), brothers visit their sisters and they celebrate and prepare sweets to wish a long, happy, healthy life and great success for them.

Something more?

Also, during and only during these days you can gamble because there is a legend where a Hindu goddess was playing dice with her husband and they said that everyone who gambled during Diwali would know the prosperity during the year after.

Do I like this festival?

I think that I can’t judge this festival because it’s not a part of my culture or my religion. But I guess that this festival seems lovely and it’s something that I would love to see in real life, because the town is lit up with candles must be really beautiful.

I found a video about this festival. It’s an ad produced by NETFLIX. It’s kind of ironic but just forget about the ironic side and focus on the festival!