The Divine Lights of an Autumn Night

The ancient Indian festival of Deepavali (from the Sanskrit for ‘lamps in a row’) or Diwali, celebrated across India during the autumn months October-November (the exact dates varying with the Hindu lunar calendar) is perhaps literally symbolic of the spiritual triumph of light over darkness (signifying the triumph of good over evil, of knowledge over ignorance, of truth over untruth).

It is the Festival of Lights … celebrated by lighting oil lamps, candles, lanterns, earthen lamps (diyas), and even tiny light bulbs strung across homes, streets, shops, market squares, and places of worship.

If one were to look down from the skies on the night of Diwali, which is actually celebrated on the darkest new moon night of autumn, India would appear to be a star studded diamond!

For millions of Indians, and for visitors to the country, Diwali is an incredibly beautiful and happy festival—to be savoured by experiencing the sheer variety of rituals, traditions, prayers, offerings, sights, foods, flavours, music, art, and celebrations in the different regions and communities of India.

The festival is celebrated over a period of five days in most parts of the country. Much before the morning of Diwali, homes, offices, shops and streets are cleaned, painted and decorated.

It is also, incidentally, one of the biggest shopping seasons in India! People shop till they drop! And splurge on just about everything–gifts, clothes, jewellery, appliances, even vehicles and houses!

And then, on the big night itself, new clothes are worn, lamps are lit inside and outside, prayers are offered (puja) in temples and homes, delicious food feasts prepared in homes and restaurants, varieties of sweets (Indian sweets, dried fruit, chocolates … the sky’s the limit really!) are offered to guests, or gifted to people, and then of course, all this is followed by fireworks brilliantly exploding over the night skies!

But the true spirit of the festival lies in the homes and hearts of the people of India. Because this is not only an occasion of great spiritual significance but also one where families and friends come together to meet, pray, feast and celebrate this remarkable and joyous night of lights!