Celebrating Diwali

DIWALI / BANDI CHHOR DIVAS

Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism.

The date usually falls between mid-October and mid-November and changes each year as it is set by the lunar Hindu calendar. It is an official holiday in India, and this year, Diwali falls on Friday 1^st November.

Diwali in Hinduism

Diwali is sometimes called ‘Deepavali’ in Southern India.

A five-day holiday celebrated by Hindus, celebrating good triumphing over evil.

• In North India, Hindus celebrate the return of Rama with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmanato Ayodhya after their 14-year exile.
• In Bengal, people worship the goddess Kaali (destroyer of evil forces)
• In Nepal, people celebrate Lord Krishna’s victory over the evil king Narakaasura.

Within the home, Diwali is celebrated in the following ways to guide Lakshmi (the God of wealth) into their home:

• Clean their homes
• Wear new clothing
• Exchange gifts (usually Indian sweets and dried fruits)
• Divas lit around the house and/or fireworks and sparklers
• Eating and enjoying a meal together with family
• Rangoli (beautiful patterns using colourful powders and flowers) – often at the entrance of homes

Diwali in Sikhism - Bandi Chhor Divas

Bandi Chhor Divas celebrates the day that the 6^th Guru (Hargobind ji) was released from Gwalior fort in 1619, securing release of 52 Hindu Princes with him. He later returned to the Golden Temple in Amritsar which was lit with hundreds of lamps to celebrate his return.

The usual ways of celebrating Bandi Chhor Divas include:

• Visiting the Gurdwara to pray
• Lighting candles and/or fireworks and sparklers
• Eating and enjoying a meal together with family
• Dressing in traditional Indian clothing

Diwali in Jainism

For many Jains, Diwali celebrates the day in which Tirthankar Mahavira gave his last teachings and attained ultimate liberation. It is the celebration of Mahavira’s contributions to mankind. He is regarded as the person who gave Jainism its current form. The ultimate objective of his teaching is how one can attain total freedom from the cycle of death, life, pain, misery and death and achieve the permanent blissful state of one’s self. This is also known as liberation, nirvana, absolute freedom or Moksha.

Mahavira’s teachings advocate gender equity in addition to the importance of all species and advocating that a compassionate and ethical way of life would help us evolve to higher planes.

Devotees sing and chant hymns and mantras in praise, pray and recite verses.

Jain temples are decorated with lights, sweets and diyas are distributed. Fireworks are avoided due to the sprad of noise and environmental pollution.

Diwali in Buddhism

Some Buddhists celebrate Diwali as a commemoration of the day when Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism in the 3^rd century.

The celebration of ‘Deep Daan Utsav’ by Buddhist Bahujan communities includes lighting up houses, listening to Buddhist verses and donating. Some Buddhist temples and monasteries are also decorated during this time.

Diwali at ellenor…

Diwali is not just a celebration for Hindus, Jains and Sikhs, it is for everyone!

So please do help yourself to the Indian sweets and savoury snacks that will be available in the Swanscombe office and the Hospice on Friday 1^st November!