by Sandy Govindsamy

Created on: October 06, 2010

Diwali, also known as the ‘Festival of Lights’ is the most significant holiday in the Hindu religious calendar. This auspicious day symbolically marks the triumph of good over evil or knowledge over ignorance for Hindus all over the world. The festival is observed on the15th day of 7th month of the Hindu calendar, which usually falls in late October or early November. In India, where the festival is celebrated on a huge scale, Diwali is a national holiday. For Hindus, the main origin of Diwali lies in story of the return of Lord Rama and his wife Sita to the city of Ayodha, after defeating the demon Ravana in an epic battle. The people of Ayodha lit lamps to celebrate the return of Lord Rama and to signify the victory of good over evil.

Diwali is also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains, and accordingly there are many reported origins of the festival. In the Sikh religion, Diwali is celebrated as ‘Bandi Chhorh Divas’ which is the day their Sixth Guru was freed from imprisonment by the Muslim emperor, Jahangir. For Jains, Diwali marks the day in 527BC that Lord Mahavira attained‘moksha’, a state of supreme enlightenment or liberation from the cycle of re-incarnation.

The Festival of Lights is celebrated by the Indian diaspora around the world, and customs vary from region to region. However, most Hindu communities are similar in that preparation for Diwali begins days in advance. The family home is usually spring-cleaned, and traditional sweetmeats are baked for the main day. Diwali day typically begins with the family rising before dawn and having a bath with fragrant oils before getting dressed in new clothes bought especially for the occasion. Family and friends visit each other’s homes and exchange trays of sweets, baked goods and gifts. In the evening, oil-filled clay lamps known as ‘diyas’ are lit and these line driveways and homes to create a literal illustration of the triumph of light over dark. In communities where it is allowed, fireworks light up the night sky in celebration.

As with most other special days, Diwali has become increasingly commercialized with a frenzy of shopping, from clothes to gifts, leading up to the main day. At an individual level, Diwali is a time for introspection in the pursuit of self-enlightenment over ignorance. Ultimately, the festival of Diwali is a time for families and communities to come together and an affirmation of the hope that good will always win out over evil.

Learn more about this author, Sandy Govindsamy.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.