As happens every year, since the start of autumn in September, the days have grown shorter and the nights become longer. I continue to be shocked at how quickly the sun goes down, especially since I like to walk my dog in the late afternoon or evening but not in the dark.
And with the shorter days and colder months approaching come a lot of holidays, especially in November. All Saints' and Souls' Days, Día de Muertos, Guy Fawkes Day, Veterans' Day, and Thanksgiving, to name a few. Americans also participated in the 2020 Election this year, officially on Nov. 3 though many people voted early through absentee/mail-in voting or whenever their states' polls opened. I'm not sure if that counts as a holiday, but it certainly was eventful this year, and many people across the country (and the world) celebrated the final result.
But the holiday that I'm highlighting this month is Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. It is a religious holiday, honoring various gods, such as the god Vishnu and the goddess Lakshmi. It is also meant to symbolize and celebrate the triumph of good over evil.
Alternate Name: Dawali, Deepavali, Dipavali, Dewali, Deepawali, Festival of Lights
Date: 15th day of the month Karthik
Place: Hindu communities worldwide; India
Type: Religious
Celebrants: Hindus; Indians of many faiths (Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs)
Like many Asian celebrations, Diwali is determined by a lunar calendar, and begins on the 15th day of Karthik, Hinduism's holiest month, and lasts for 5 days. In the Gregorian calendar, the holiday usually falls in October or November, and this year it began yesterday, Saturday, November 14.
Celebrations and the reasons behind Diwali vary from region to region and day to day. For some, it commemorates the hero Rama-chandra, the seventh avatar or incarnation of the god Vishnu, who returned from a 14-year exile to defeat the demon Ravana and rescue his wife, Sita. For others, especially on the second day of the festival, Diwali signifies when the goddess Kali and Lord Krishna (also an avatar of Vishnu) destroyed the demon Narakasura. And for others, it marks the day when Vishnu sent the demon king Bali to the netherworld. Diwali is also considered the birthday of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, who is celebrated all throughout the five days.
All in all, Diwali is a celebration of light over darkness --- appropriate for the middle of autumn as winter inches closer, and for a time when our world is racked by plaque, social and political unrest, rampant discrimination, and tremendous uncertainty about the future. The word "Diwali" or “Deepawali” literally means “rows of diyas" or clay lamps, and people use lamps, candles, lanterns, fireworks, flashlights, and bonfires to "illuminate" the holiday. Houses and other buildings are decorated with dipa bowls or, more recently, artificial string lights, like at Christmas time.
As with most holiday traditions, typical Diwali celebrations include prayer, food, and family. Celebrants often go to temples to say a puja or prayer to Lakshmi or the elephant-headed god Ganesh(a), who is worshipped as a "remover of obstacles" and the patron of wisdom and the arts and sciences. This is also a time of year for Hindus to donate to charity and perform acts of service. As some people consider Diwali the start of the new year, other traditions involve paying off debts; making or buying new clothes; and cleaning the house. It is said that Lakshmi wanders the Earth during these five days and enters the houses that are "pure, clean, and bright."
Diwali foods include both savory dishes, like popcorn jodha, and lots of sweets. According to the India Times, some of the best Diwali dishes are:
Samosa -- a fried or baked pastry with a savoury filling
Aloo bonda -- deep-fried South Indian potato snack
Murukku/chakli -- a savory, crunchy snack twisted into circles
Gulab jamun -- deep fried balls made of milk powder, flour, butter and cream or milk, and then soaked in sugar syrup
Rice kheer, or traditional rice pudding
Additionally, at festivals, children are given extra toys and candy by booth operators.
Diwali is a time for families and communities to gather together and celebrate. Sadly, it is still not entirely safe for people to gather like that yet with the coronavirus pandemic still at large. Still, people have gotten creative, such as moving prayer services and concerts online, and hosting Zoom/video chat parties instead.
However you celebrate Diwali this year, if you do, then I hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy and enjoy the holiday.
And for all us, whether we observe Diwali or not, we should remember and rejoice in what it signifies -- that light, love, and goodness will always triumph over evil.
Saal mubarak, everyone - Happy Diwali! Until next time.
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