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Home › Articles › Holiday: Winter › Diwali

Diwali

An Indian Festival of Lights

By Crystal Patriarche

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If you ever have time to listen to the story behind the Indian festival of Diwali – also known as the festival of lights, celebrated in most regions of India and often compared to Christmas in the West – I strongly recommend it. I also recommend you clear your calendar for seven days, because that is how long it could take to hear the whole fascinating story and history of events.

"Back in India, I celebrated Diwali growing up," says Nilesh Amin, who left India and now lives in Sunnyvale, Calif., with his wife and two sons. "It's like the equivalent of Christmas. In India priests literally tell the story for seven days leading up to the celebration. There are many lessons in the story of Diwali like in the Bible."

The History of Diwali
The history or legend is captured in a book called Ramayan, but according to Amin it is not taught or "commercialized" like the Bible. "You won't find it printed out and put in hotel rooms like the Bible," he says. "But there is magic or miracles in the history like how Jesus walked on water." And just like children go to Sunday school and learn lessons here, Hindu children learn many valuable lessons around the story of Diwali, he says.

India is on a moon calendar, so the timing of the festival of Diwali varies, but it is either at the end of October or beginning of November.

Diwali literally means a row of lights, and the main attraction is the candles and lamps, called diyas, that are lit in almost every home after puja (a ceremony where the lamps are made). The lights are meant to welcome Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity, and to bring joy, mirth and happiness in the new year, which starts the day after Diwali.

Similar to Christmas, it is also considered a time to get new clothes and exchange gifts and sweets with friends and neighbors. This festival is celebrated over a period of five days, with dancing, the many lights and fireworks. "Some homes have 50 to 100 lights," says Amin.

And the Story Goes...
The story behind the celebration is long and fascinating, but at the core of it is a story of good vs. evil. According to the legend, Diwali is celebrated to honor the return of Rama (a prince who was in line to be king), his wife, Sita, and his brother, Lakshmana, after a 14-year exile in the forest.

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