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Diwali is a Festival of Lights and one of the major festivals celebrated throughout India. The festival is usually celebrated for 5 days and symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. The oil lamps that are lit literally represent the burning down of one’s ego. In the south of India Deepavali {Diwali} signifies the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon, Narakasura; while in the North, people celebrate the return of Lord Rama and Sita from exile after 14 yrs.
On the day of the festival, people wake up before sunrise, receive oil messages and a ritual bath. A variety of sweets are made and distributed followed by fireworks, prayer to goddess Lakshmi for prosperity, and visits to temples. People partake in family feasts, exchange gifts, illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes with oil lamps, and display Rangoli (colorful art patterns drawn using rice flour) .
Stories from religious texts such as Ramayana (story and life of Lord Rama) and Mahabharata (story of Lord Krishna) are read and told.
Mostly sweets that are prepared with ghee, milk and chickpea flour. Savory snacks and rice pudding is also prepared using raw sugar.
Plays that depict the life and story of Lord Rama and fireworks (though most people are refraining from fireworks due to pollution these days).
ABOUT MADHU PRAKASH. She is a botanist, mother of two girls and Indian classical dancer. We has lived in the Pacific northwest for the past decade. She enjoys traveling, hiking, gardening and relishes morning walks on cold crisp foggy days ending with hot chai. Madhu is always eager to meet people, make friends, and listen to their experiences. She supports gender equality.