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Deepavali

Festival of Light that lighting up a multi-racial society

Deepavali in Sanskrit literally means 'Festival of Lights5 where Hindus illuminate their homes using clay lamps with wicks called "diyas" or other forms of lights. The golden glow of these lamps! not only signify the warmth that light can bring but signify the accomplishment of all material attributes, be it riches and fame, or knowledge, success and peace.

The entrance of houses are also decorated with lovely traditional rangoli motifs to welcome Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity.

The colorful festival celebrated by Hindus worldwide usually falls around late October or early! November. The Hindus consider Deepavali, also called Diwali by north Indians, as one of their most important festivals.

There is a legend behind this festival about Narakasura, a demon king, who ruled the kingdom of Pradyoshapuram.

Under his rule, the people suffered hardships and the king even imprisoned the women in his palace.

On seeing the people's suffering, -Lord Krishna set out to destroy the demon king and the day Narakasura died is celebrated as Deepavali - triumph of good over evil!

Preparation for Deepavali usually starts at least two to three weeks before the festival. Houses are cleaned, some go the extra mile to renovate their houses or just add a new coat of paint.

Usually the family will shop for new clothes and accessories and add decorative items to their homes and draw 'kolam' at their entrance.

The 'kolam' (intricate colorful motifs) includes design elements that are purely geometrical with dots, lines, triangles, squares, circles, and other auspicious symbols like the swastika, conch shell,  lotus, trident, footprint and the star, relating to expressions of cosmic harmony and spiritual energy in certain vedic practices.

Colored rice, grated coconut, with silver or even gold dust, may be used to make the patterns other than rice flour.

These patterns are traditionally laid out on the floor in certain areas like around the shrine, entrance and on the dining mats.

The 'kolam'  is generally the handiwork of the womenfolk to add gaiety to the celebration.

On the auspicious day, Hindus usually wake up early and the first ritual is the bath using gingerly oil and cinnamon powder, which is an important feature that has withstood the test of time despite the younger generation preference for soaps and shampoo.

Next they dress in their new clothes - men wearing dhoti or kurtas, women in silk saris, Punjabi suits, lengha, karisma suits of various color shades - and head to temples.

Hindus particularly dislike dressing in black on this auspicious day. They would also pay their respect to the elderly and the deceased. This is also an important ritual.