A little light reading into Diwali.
Diwali or Deepavali, popularly known as the "festival of lights," is
a five day festival which starts on Dhanteras, celebrated on thirteenth lunar
day of Krishna
paksha (dark fortnight) of the Hindu calendar month Ashwin
and ends on Bhaubeej. Diwali falls between mid-October and mid-November. Diwali
is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana,
Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji.
For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is
celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their
homes.
The name "Diwali" or "Divali" is a contraction of
"Deepavali", which translates into "row of lamps". Diwali
involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the
triumph of good over evil. These lamps are kept on during the night and one's
house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome.
Firecrackers are burst because it is believed that it drives away evil spirits.
During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks
with family members and friends.
Well here is how we the Guyanese celebrate this festival. Prior to Diwali, about three days, different villages/regions will have motorcades (parades depicting the festival and gods and goddesses) check photographs below. Then on the eve of Diwali, there is a grand Diwali Motorcade where many people come out to witness as it's the last, biggest and best motorcade of all. The varying villages come out to celebrate as one people and that too to compete for prizes. When they reach the ground/park, there is a grand concert of dances, drama, poetry and even spiritual influence and addresses from our President and other high rank officials. The concert will conclude by announcing who is the winner of the Diwali pageant and Miss Diwali is crown. On the day of Diwali, fire crackers go wild and family and friends chat and have a nice time together enjoying the sweet meats prepare! So that was a small synopsis of my country's celebration! Happy Diwali Friends!
