FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
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Diwali, or Deepavali, is the festival of lights. It is a 5-day festival which is usually celebrated at the end of October or at the start of November depending on the Gregorian calendar. The main festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika which marks the new year that falls on Diwali.
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Deepavali is linked to the celebration of goddess Lakshmi,the wife of Lord Vishnu. She is venerated by the Hindus as the goddess of wealth and prosperity, thus, her idol having gold coins pouring out of the pot and her palm. Furthermore, the 5-day festival of Diwali begins on the day Goddess Lakshmi was born from the churning cosmic ocean of milk by the gods and the demons; while the night of Diwali is the day Lakshmi chose Vishnu as her husband and they got married. We believe that those who worship goddess Lakshmi receive blessings of physical, mental and financial well-being throughout the new year. Did you know that on the final day of Diwali, my parents don't lock or close the living room doors? They believe that the goddess will enter the house and bless us with her graces. :)
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During this 5-day celebration, the family members light up the house with oil-lamps. These are small lamps made of clay which is then filled with oil and a cotton wad that is lit. The lamps are placed in the balcony, garage, kitchen and even bathrooms for good health. Also, a veneration is held in the evening as the members sing worship songs. Family, relatives and friends send each other gifts just like how the Catholics do during Christmas. Colorful sweets and money are given to the children by the elders as their way of blessing them. Obviously, receiving money is my favorite part of the tradition because I finally get to save up for something I really want.
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Until next time,
Khushi Ramchandani :)
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