Diwali – Tuesday 28 October 2008

Diwali or more correctly Deepawali is the Hindu festival of lights symbolising the victory of good over evil. The word Diwali literally means row or garland of lights.  Diwas are traditional small Indian lamps. The festival of Diwali is celebrated by both Hindus and Sikhs, but for different reasons.

The Hindu festival is generally associated with Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth and prosperity) and with the victorious return of Rama and Sita to the Kingdomof Ayodhya after their fourteen years exile. This festival also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. Houses are cleaned and sometimes even re-decorated. Intricate decorative designs called rangoli patterns are painted, or drawn with coloured sand, powders and rice on the floors of porches and entrance halls. New clothes are traditionally worn for Diwali and family and relatives gather together to offer prayers at the mandir(Hindu temple)and at home. Houses and streets are decorated with lights, sweets are shared and delicious food cooked and eaten with family and friends. This festival is also often marked with firework displays.

Sikhs celebrate Diwali to commemorate the day when the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind was released from imprisonment in Gwalior prision. The Guru refused to accept the release offered by the Moghul Emperor Jehangir unless fifty two Hindu princes, who were imprisoned with him, were also given their freedom.  The Emperor agreed to release as many prisoners as could hold on to a piece of the Guru’s clothing. To meet the Emperor’s condition, the Guru wore an outer garment with fifty two long tassels, so each prince could walk to freedom. Sikhs celebrate with communal worship at the gurdwara (Sikh temple). They may decorate their homes and gurdwaras with lights.