Celebrating Diwali (the festival of light) : A journey through tradition, faith, and family
My name is Yeshentha Naidoo, and I am the EDI Lead for NECS, and I also provide EDI support for NENC ICB. When asked about religion, I often describe myself as a part time Hindu and full-time agnostic. This is because, while I was born into a Hindu, South Indian family, I have a number of conflicting beliefs. This means that religious events can often be difficult for me. However, growing up, I did love being a part of the culture and the celebrations associated with the numerous festivals my family partook in, one of which, Diwali, is fast approaching this week.
The date on which Diwali occurs changes each year, as it is determined by a lunar calendar, and, this year, Diwali is taking place on the 31st October.
For those of you who don't know, Diwali or Deepavali, is the Hindu Festival of light that celebrates the homecoming of Rama and Sita, after 14 years of exile. The story is taken from the Ramayana, one of the important Hindu religious texts that narrates the life of Rama, the seventh avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu. Growing up, my family would often share the tales of Rama and Sita and their exile with us on Diwali day.
One of the key elements of Diwali, is that it takes place on Amavasya, or new moon. With no moonlight to guide them on their journey home from exile, villagers lit multiple lamps to help the couple find their way home. This is a practice still incorporated today, where many Hindus will light lamps, to guide Rama and Sita home. In addition, no celebration is complete without food. In the days approaching Diwali many families will take the time to make sweet meats/mitai (special celebratory cakes and desserts) that can be eaten as a treat and shared with family and friends. We do this each year, with, admittedly, my mum doing the bulk of the baking, and us posting the goodies to our friends and loved ones. Lastly, the celebration often involves the giving of gifts, which has often resulted in Diwali being dubbed the Hindu equivalent of Christmas.
The lighting of lamps, sharing of food and giving of gifts are all symbols of lights triumph over darkness, the core symbol of Diwali. It is also important to remember that many other faiths also celebrate Diwali, and it is not an entirely Hindu festival. Diwali is also celebrated by Jains, Sikhis and Newar Buddhists, and although there are differences in the stories told and the celebrations followed, they all agree in the festival's symbol of lights triumph over darkness. Even within Hinduism, the way different families celebrate varies, with some attending temple, others celebrating for a number of days and others attending parades. Within my family it is a fairly quiet celebration, taking place on the day itself, at home, and amongst loved ones. If you are celebrating this year, and however you choose to observe the festival, I wish you a Happy Diwali!