As it so happens, I'm flying home tomorrow on Diwali. Diwali is one of the biggest holidays celebrated by Hindus. It is celebrated much like Christmas is in the U.S.; family gatherings, rituals around food, decorations, fireworks and gift giving. Even among non-Hindu folk, the holiday is still celebrated (the Sikh's celebrate this day as a return of a guru).
This festival is celebrated for five continuous days, with the third day being the main Diwali or 'Festival of Lights'. The day is celebrated with people lighting many small clay oil lamps called diyas and candles around their house. Lakshmi Puja (blessing) is performed in the evening to seek divine blessings of Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. Diwali gifts are exchanged among all near and dear ones.
The ritual behind these customs is that the fireworks and lighted diyas bring "supernatural brightness and joy with the hope of finding light in darkness, achieving knowledge where there is ignorance, and spreading love amidst hatred." Light signifies goodness in Hinduism. So, during the Festival of Lights, 'deeps', or oil lamps, are burned throughout the day and into the night to ward off darkness and evil.
So this is a very fine and good holiday. I'm pretty much here taking in the parties that would normally occur right around Christmas at home....except that the one that I'm attending tonight requires more traditional Indian attire.
What happens in Bangalore, stays in Bangalore.
I'll be home soon.
HUGs, W:)
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