Diwali: The Festival of Lights

Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, is celebrated with gusto the world over. This year Diwali will fall on November 14, 2020. Here’s wishing you a very Happy Diwali (in advance).

What is Diwali?

As you probably already know, India has a strong history of acknowledging deities and continues to worship them to date. Diwali, in specific, marks the occasion of the return of Lord Rama and his wife Sita to Ayodhya (their home) after 14 years of exile. Back in the day, to celebrate their return, oil lamps were lit on their path to banish the darkness. Hence, it was termed as Diwali or ‘the festival of lights’.

Today the festival is celebrated in almost every Indian household in the form of ‘pujas’ that are meant to bring home wealth and prosperity. What’s beautiful though is that while the country celebrates the festival in unique ways in various regions, it still brings everyone together to share the joy and cheer.

Significance of Diwali

The significance of the festival varies drastically in different regions and religions. What stands as the common, overarching symbolism though is ‘the victory of light over darkness’, which is also interpreted as the victory of  good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

Each year before and during Diwali, families make grand preparations to usher in the festivities. From the ritual of annual home cleaning (many go to the extent of getting their houses whitewashed), lighting up the house with ‘diyas’ or earthen lamps to putting together elaborate feasts—the five days of celebration can be best expressed as the time of unparalleled love and happiness.

Don’t forget to share this with your family and friends!