HAPPY DIWALI

Happy Diwali

dīpāvalī kī hārdika śubhakāmanā'ēṁ दीपावलीकीहार्दिकशुभकामनाएं

Today as million of people all round the world celebrate Diwali, Londoner Deepty Harji explains what the festival means to her.

Diwali is most commonly known as ‘the festival of lights.’ It is one of many great celebrations for Hindus across the globe and it has a special meaning for me.

As a child there were many learning’s passed on by my grandparents and parents about the festival of Diwali.

Essentially the festival celebrates good conquering evil, which was quite a simplistic explanation when told as a child. As an adult I have grown to see the many different parts of Diwali which make it such a beautiful and sacred ritual.

Family unity and prosperity for all are the key messages during Diwali. Everybody is taught to respect their elders and to be particularly generous to strangers.

Through such teachings my sisters & I have learnt to be tolerant of those different to us and charitable to those less fortunate.

We light incense in the early morning and ring a small bell as a way of knocking on Gods door to say our thanks and also to apologise for any wrong doings throughout the year.

We ask for God’s forgiveness and God’s blessing at the same time. It is a time when I must be truthful about my faults and reflect about how I will make each relationship in my life better.

Diwali brings the family together, where we enjoy huge feasts and light fireworks throughout the night! Sweets are shared between families and to neighbours.

My mother parcels food for our neighbours before it is shared amongst us in our home. We then travel to our relatives to wish them all a prosperous New Year! It’s almost like a wedding but without gifts.

Diwali is celebrated with tea lights, candles and fireworks. Light symbolises good over evil/darkness and personally I believe that Diwali is a method of self-enlightenment, to rediscover yourself and be a better person.

I hope to pass on the teachings of Diwali to my children and others alike.

I wish everyone Happy Diwali.

Deepty Harji. deeptyharji@hotmail.com.