Diwali, Worldwide Hindu, Sikh & Jain Celebration
Festival of Light - Time for Indian Families Everywhere to Celebrate
Sep 29, 2009
Hindu, Sikh and Jain members of Indian communities worldwide celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights and it is often almost as spectacular outside India as it is in India. Traditionally, Diwali night is the darkest night of the year, with the day falling on the 15th day of the Hindi month Katrika, which is normally at the end of October or beginning of November.
Diwali, Festival of Light - Hindu New Year
Diwali, the Festival of Light, is a time when family and friends get together to focus on making new bonds. The celebration is a recognition of the triumph of good overcoming evil and welcomes in the Hindu New Year. Additionally, Diwali Day marks the end of the financial and business year for traditional Hindu businesses.
Although the celebration of Diwali is a spiritual festival, it is also customary to exchange gifts during Diwali as an expression of affection to family and friends. Traditionally, homemade gifts are exchanged, however the celebration has become more commercialized in recent years, with more expensive and extravagant gifts purchased.
Preparations for Diwali feasts begin several days in advance in Hindu households as the women of the extended family and friends of the family get together to spend several days preparing sweets and snacks.
Diwali Days of Celebration
Traditional Diwali celebrations last five days:
- Day one is Dhanteras – Homes are cleaned and decorated and lamps arranged everywhere. Gifts are exchanged.
- Day two is Naraka Chatrudashi – The focus is on abolishing laziness and evil and Kali is worshipped.
- Day three is Lakshmi-Puja or Diwali Day – Lamps are lit in homes and this is also the last day of the year for traditional Hindu businesses.
- Day four is Bestavarsh – Families celebrate by visiting friends and giving small gifts.
- Day five is Bhalya Dooj or the Teeka Ceremony – This is a celebration of the relationship between brothers and sisters.
Diwali Also Important to Sikh and Jain Communities
Although Diwali is a traditional Hindu ceremony, it is also important to Sikhs for historic reasons relating to the emergence of their religion in India and also to Jains for spiritual reasons.
Diwali in Britain
Leicester, England, arguably, provides the largest and most spectacular venue outside India for celebrating Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights.
The Leicester Golden Mile, Belgrave Road and Melton Road, is ablaze with lights as the local Hindu, Sikh and Jain population of Leicester celebrate the Festival in style. Many of the shops along the Golden Mile are open until midnight to celebrate the holiday and fireworks and laser shows are also held in the area.
Indeed, the occasion brings over 30,000 visitors to the Leicester area each year, and is a popular attraction for overseas' visitors to the UK as well as UK visitors.
See also: Diwali: When and What it is and 3 Top Asian Recipes that are Simple and Easy to Make
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