Diwali, the Hindu Festival of
Lights
Diwali (in Hindi) or
Deepavali (in Tamil) is the
Hindu Festival of Lights. The
name originally comes from
the Sanskrit word dipavali, meaning
a row of lights. Wherever Diwali is
being celebrated you will see shops,
houses and public places decorated
with small, earthenware, oil lamps
known as diyas. They are usually
placed in rows on window sills and
outside buildings as decorations.
Diwali is celebrated around the world
by people who follow the Hindu
religion. This is mostly those of
Indian ethnicity, but today they may
be celebrating as British, American,
Malaysian, Singaporean, Australian,
Canadian, New Zealander, Fijian,
Mauritian, South African, and many,
many more countries around the
world. Many non-Hindu Indian
families from the Jain and Sikh
religions have often joined in and
made this a more widely celebrated
festival.
This year (2008) Hindus will start
their Diwali celebrations on October
28th.
The Meaning of Diwali
The Festival of Lights, as with most
ancient legends, helps us to know
the truth of victory of good over evil,
but more specifically for Hindus at
this time, it means to understand
the meanings behind each of the five
days of Diwal. It specifically
commemorates the return of Lord
Rama to his kingdom Ayodhya, at
the end of his exile which lasted for
14 years.
As with many eastern festivals, the
dates are based on the Lunar
calendar, with Diwali eve on the
fourteenth lunar day of the month of
Kartik (October/November). The first
day is called Dhanvantari Triodasi,
also sometimes called Dhan Theras,
while the second day is called Narak
Chaturdasi. According to Hindu
legend, on this day Lord Krishna
destroyed the demon, Narakasur,
and made the world free from fear.
The third day is the actual Diwali,
when Hindus worship the Mother
Lakshmi, and on the fourth day they
perform Goverdhan Pooja. The fifth
and final day of Diwali is called
Bhratri Dooj, and is dedicated to
sisters and is the first day of the
Hindu New Year.
The special Festival of Light's diyas
are lit to help the goddess (Mother)
Lakshmi find her way into people's
homes, especially as the period is
also during the fortnight (two weeks)
of the dark month of Kartik. Goddess
Lakshmi is the symbol of wealth and
prosperity and is also the consort of
the Hindu god, Vishnu. As Hindus
are also celebrating their New Year,
Lord Ganeshu, the elephant headed
god, is worshipped in most Hindu
homes on this day.
Diwali Recipes
In a similar manner to many
festivals and celebrations, certain
recipes, or foods are traditional
during Diwali. During Diwali many
Indians only eat vegetarian dishes,
and of course, as the cow is sacred
to Hindus, no beef is ever eaten, at
any time of the year, not just during
Diwali.
On Day 1: Sheera is eaten - a warm
fudge-like sweet made with raisins,
nuts, semolina, saffron and
cardamom and - is eaten with a
spicy black-eye bean curry.
On Day 2: This is a day of fasting for
many Hindus, and they do not break
their fast until sunset with lapsee, a
warm sweet porridge of cracked
wheat, clarified butter and sugar.
On Day 3: Kheer, a milky pudding
made with rice and sago is eaten,
together with lentil vada (fritters).
On Diwali itself and on New Year's
Day (fifth day of Diwali): Many
different types of vegetable curries
are eaten. They like to include as
many vegetables as possible as this
signifies wealth and bounty lasting
for the whole year. A huge
assortment of sweets is always
available. Diwali day is spent eating
with the family, and New Year's Day,
visiting all the friends and neighbors.
Despite the huge quantities of food
being offered, guests are always
expected to finish everything!
Try making this popular Diwali snack
called, Muruku.
Diwali Art Celebrating the
Festival of Lights
Probably the most well recognized
are Rangoli Patterns, beautifully
made decorations, drawn on floors
and even pavements, usually with
rice flour and water, or dry and
made with powdery, colored sand.
US Government Recognition
There is something special about
Diwali 2008. It is the first since the
US Senate officially recognized
Diwali, the Festival of Lights,
unanimously passing Senate
Resolution 299 on November 14th
2007.
Diwali ki shubhkamnaye
If you are Hindu (or among the Jain
or Sikh communities who celebrate
Diwali), we wish you Happy Diwali
and thank you for bringing one of
the world's most colorful
celebrations to our lives.
