Diwali festivities begin worldwide

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Millions are celebrating the holiday of Diwali, the annual festival that lights up every autumn worldwide. Celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains alike, Diwali is an event marked by fireworks, prayers, and other festivities. It represents the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, hope over despair, and knowledge over ignorance.

Like many other religious holidays, Diwali does not have a set date – it falls according to the Hindu lunar calendar. Lasting a total of five days, Diwali begins on 19 October this year. The much-anticipated festival of lights falls on the third day, which coincides with the 15th day of the Hindu month, Kartik. Diwali is also referred to as Deepavili, a word that aptly means “rows of lighted lamps” in Sanskrit, and is widely celebrated across the whole of the South Asian subcontinent.

The “row of lighted lamps” understatedly describes the millions of clay oil lamps – divas – set out to illuminate festival-goers’ homes, shops, worshipping areas, and public spaces and ring in the beginning of the Hindu new year. Music plays, fireworks set off, and candles are lit as parts of the festivities, and families clean and decorate their homes and dress in new clothes. They may hold a family puja – prayers to Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity.

We wish everyone partaking in the celebration of Diwali a wonderful next few days.

Ayan Goran

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