About the Hindu Holiday of Deepavali

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Today is the official public holiday in India for Deepavali or Diwali. It is a five-day festival of lights in the Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist faiths celebrated on Naraka Chaturdasi Thithi.

The lighting of clay lamps (Deepa) outside their homes is the origin of the name, and these candles symbolize the inner light that illuminates spiritual darkness. The legends behind the festival vary from region to region in India and are slightly different for Sikhs and Buddhists. However, traditions tend to be universal.

Diwali is equally important to Hindus as Christmas to Christianity, Rosh Hashana to Judaism, and Eid al Fitr to Muslims. The festival celebrates overcoming negativity, including good over evil, light over dark, and other extremes. Faith practitioners reaffirm friendships, practice tolerance, and spread joy during Diwali.

DAY ONE: Clean and shop for gold and gifts.

DAY TWO: Home decoration.

DAY THREE: The big celebration with feasts, fireworks, and family get-togethers.

DAY FOUR: The Hindu New Year, gift exchange, and family and friends celebrate with a major banquet.

DAY FIVE: Married sisters accept visits from their brothers and treat them to a major feast.

On the first day, Hindus go shopping, purchasing gold and other items for themselves and as gifts. Buying gold and jewelry serves to ensure prosperity in the coming year.

Cleaning the house is another significant activity. The oven is smeared with lime and embellished with four or five kumkum dots before filling it with water for the next day's oil bath. Special attention is paid to the entryway, where the goddess of wealth, Laxmi, may enter. The more light and color emanating from the home, the more likely she will visit.

Elaborate decorations using colored powder in rangoli patterns are everywhere. The prayer (pooja) room is decorated within the home with betel leaves, betel nuts, plantain fruits, flowers, sandal paste, kumkum, ginger oil, turmeric powder, and scented powders displayed as offerings.

Firecrackers and new clothes lay on a plate after smearing kumkum or sandal paste on them in preparation for festivities. Noisy firecrackers scare off evil, while sparklers and other lighted adornments seek to invite the good gods.

Of course, like every religion, Hindus have special sweet treats they prepare for Diwali and share with friends and family. Chakli, Sev, gujiya, laddoos, barfi, and farsan are popular sweets during the festival.

Diwali is one of the most colorful Hindu festivals and a favorite with the faithful and tourists alike. "Happy Diwali" is the traditional greeting.