CULTURE
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy by millions around the world. In 2024, Diwali falls on November 1, marking the day with age-old customs, dazzling decorations, and joyous gatherings. This vibrant festival celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, originating from various mythological stories across India. Here’s a look at some of the customs and traditions that make Diwali one of the most cherished festivals: 1. Lighting Diyas and Candles Diwali is synonymous with the lighting of diyas (oil lamps) and candles to brighten homes and workplaces. This tradition symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. On Diwali night, every home is adorned with diyas, candles, and fairy lights, creating a mesmerizing glow that lights up entire neighborhoods. It is believed that these lights help guide the goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, to people's homes. 2. Creating Rangolis Rangoli, a beautiful and colorful pattern made on the floor, is another popular tradition during Diwali. Using colored powders, flowers, rice, or sand, families create intricate designs at the entrance of their homes. The patterns range from simple geometric shapes to complex floral and peacock motifs. Rangolis are believed to bring good luck and welcome guests with positive energy, as well as ward off evil spirits. 3. Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi The worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, is one of the core customs of Diwali. Families perform a Lakshmi Puja, where they seek blessings for happiness, prosperity, and success. Homes are thoroughly cleaned and decorated to welcome her, as it’s believed that the goddess only visits places that are clean, bright, and pure. Devotees offer sweets, flowers, and fruits while reciting prayers and mantras. 4. Exchanging Gifts and Sweets Gift-giving is a cherished part of Diwali, representing the exchange of love and goodwill. People present gifts to family members, friends, and neighbors, sharing happiness and strengthening bonds. Sweets, in particular, play a significant role during Diwali. Varieties of traditional sweets like ladoos, barfis, and jalebis are made at home or bought from shops, adding sweetness to the celebrations. Each gift and sweet exchanged symbolizes affection and blessings for the recipient. 5. Bursting Firecrackers Though firecrackers have become a topic of debate due to environmental concerns, traditionally, bursting firecrackers has been a major Diwali highlight, especially for children. Firecrackers are believed to drive away negative energies and welcome the arrival of good times. Many communities now encourage eco-friendly celebrations with reduced or noiseless fireworks to protect the environment while maintaining the festive spirit. 6. Playing Games of Chance In some parts of India, especially in North India, card games and dice games are popular during Diwali. This tradition is believed to originate from a story in which Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband, Lord Shiva, on Diwali night and declared that whoever gambled on Diwali would prosper. Games are enjoyed with family and friends, adding an element of excitement to the festival. However, these games are played for fun rather than for significant gains. 7. Celebrating Bhai Dooj Diwali festivities often conclude with Bhai Dooj, a day dedicated to celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters perform a small ceremony, applying a tilak on their brothers’ foreheads and praying for their well-being. In return, brothers offer gifts and promise to protect their sisters. This ritual strengthens family bonds and signifies love and loyalty between siblings. 8. Feasting on Special Dishes Diwali is incomplete without a grand feast, where families gather to enjoy a variety of delicious dishes. Different regions of India have unique Diwali delicacies, including sweets like gulab jamun, kaju katli, and savoury snacks like samosas and namkeens. These foods symbolize the abundance and prosperity associated with the festival, allowing families to share in the joy of a festive meal together. 9. Decorating Homes with Torans and Flowers Torans (decorative door hangings) made from flowers, leaves, and beads are hung at the entrance of homes to invite prosperity and ward off negativity. Fresh marigold flowers and mango leaves are commonly used, as they are considered auspicious and fragrant, bringing a welcoming atmosphere to the home. Torans are a beautiful way to create a festive vibe and add a natural charm to the celebration. 10. The Spirit of Charity Diwali is also a time for giving back to the community. Many families make it a tradition to donate food, clothes, and other essentials to those in need. This custom of charity helps spread the joy of Diwali and ensures that everyone can celebrate the festival with happiness and dignity. Whether it’s lighting diyas, sharing sweets, or creating colorful rangolis, every Diwali custom brings families together, nurturing a sense of gratitude and love for one another. Celebrating these traditions helps us preserve the true spirit of Diwali and share its light with the world. (This article is intended for your general information only. News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.) None
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