Diwali is a celebration that marks the start of the Hindu New Year. It occurs over five days, taking place this year from October 28th through November 3rd. The festival of lights symbolizes the spiritual victory of good over evil and light over darkness.
There are several different legends and traditions associated with Diwali, as it is not only celebrated by Hindus but by Sikhs and Jains as well. Perhaps the most popular story behind the celebration comes from Hindu mythology in which Lord Rama, his wife Lady Sita Devi, and his brother Lord Lakshmana returned to their home of Ayodhya after 14 years in exile and after vanquishing the demon king Ravana. To welcome them back home, the townspeople of Ayodhya placed a path of oil lamps to light the way for Lord Rama and the rest of his party. Thus, lighting oil lamps remains a fundamental part of Diwali celebrations to this day.
Senior Erina Coutinho explains some of the other traditions she has participated in during Diwali, despite not being Hindu herself. “I would go to [my friends’] houses to attend the Pooja—worship of goddess Lakshmi, and we would eat sweets such as ladoos and padhais. Then at night, we would light up firecrackers, ” said Coutinho.
Sophomore Paavani Thakur shared her traditions with her family. She said, “When I was in India, we would spend around 2-3 days just doing Pooja, and weeks before Diwali [started], we [would] decorate the outside of our house with string lights. Here in the U.S. though, we just do the Pooja at home, wear ethnic clothing, light up the candles, and then maybe go to a Hindu temple for the food they serve!”
Aside from Hinduism, in Jainism, Diwali marks a time of philanthropy and generosity in honor of the spiritual awakening of the soul of Lord Mahavira, who was the twenty-fourth and last Jain Tirthankara. Diwali also serves as a major festival in Sikhism, celebrated as Bandi Chorh Diwas, or the Day of Liberation, for the release of the sixth guru Hargobind Sahib and 52 others from prison after years of captivity.
Regardless of the way one celebrates this festival, The Tattler wishes all a safe and prosperous Diwali.
