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Get ready for Diwali, the Festival of Lights!

October 2024 In General News

Diwali is a prominent Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil.

It marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana as told in the ancient Indian epic Ramayana. The festival runs across five days where people worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth to bless them with prosperity in the coming year. Along with Lakshmi, Ganesh who is the God of auspicious beginnings is also prayed to on Diwali. The Puja (prayer) is followed by fireworks, feasting and festivity.

Preparation begins weeks in advance and follows traditions full of historic Indian cultural significance. We speak with Shweta, who lives in Melbourne’s Northwestern suburbs and has strong ties to India. Each year she celebrates Diwali with family and friends. The festival brings her family’s traditions to life, and she looks forward to it with great anticipation. For Shweta, Diwali is more than just a celebration; it’s a meaningful occasion to gather with loved ones, honour her heritage, and embrace the light that dispels the darkness.

Getting your home ready for Diwali is essential.

Much like the festive preparations for Christmas, the entire home undergoes a deep cleaning to create a welcoming space for the Gods and Goddesses.

Shweta lights the diyas or earthen oil lamps (similar to candles) that cast a warm, inviting glow throughout their home, she helps her mother prepare their favourite sweets, filling her with joy and nostalgia. Diyas are lit to honour the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom, Ayodhya. “People lit up diyas to welcome him back to his kingdom because he was in exile for 14 years,” Shweta says.

They also symbolise the triumph of light over darkness and are an offering to the Goddess Lakshmi, ensuring the home is bathed in light when she arrives. It’s then decorated with lights, flowers, and other festive ornaments to set the atmosphere.

Homes are adorned with fresh flowers, adding natural beauty and fragrance to the festive atmosphere. One of the most beautiful traditions involves creating Rangoli designs made from coloured powders, rice flour, or even flower petals at the entrance of the house. Shweta enjoys decorating the floors with vibrant rangoli and sharing stories about the festival’s significance around the dinner table. “Rangoli serves as a welcome mat of sorts, as it is used to welcome Hindu gods to the household,” she says.

Why Homes Are Prepared for Diwali

Diwali is not just a time for celebration—it’s a deeply spiritual occasion, especially when it comes to welcoming Goddess Lakshmi into your home.

Known as the goddess of wealth and prosperity, she is believed to visit homes during Diwali to bestow blessings for the year ahead. A clean and decorated home shows her respect and reverence, Shweta explains. “The guest is coming, and we say that God or goddess is the guest who’s coming into our house. We hope they bless us with good wealth, health, and prosperity for the coming year.”

Families also perform Lakshmi Puja (a ritual worship) on Diwali night, offering prayers and seeking her blessings for health, wealth, and success.

Diwali food

In the leadup to Lakshmi Puja families Shweta and her family will pack hampers with snacks, sweets and dried fruit to distribute among friends. There is an immense amount of food involved in Diwali. After the home is ready, puja (prayer) complete and blessings sought from the guest, Lakshmi, Shweta said everyone will binge on food.

“So laddoo and barfis are specific sweet types. Ladoos are the round ones, and then barfis are like little square ones and made of milk – they’re very sweet.”

“Traditionally offer some sweets. Dry fruits were a big thing. We’d offer a lot of, like, almonds and cashews and pistachios and fun things. We also do a lot of savoury, deep-fried items like murukku.

“Or if I go to the northern part, we do shakarpara, which is like sweet balls made with maida flour, sugar, cardamom powder and ghee.”

When is Diwali Celebrated?

In 2024, the full five days of Diwali begin on 29 October. The main day, called Lakshmi Puja, lands on 1 November. The Hindu lunar calendar determines the dates each year, much like the Christian celebration of Easter. Diwali falls on the night of the new moon in the October-November lunar cycle, when the moon is not visible in the sky.

Five days of Diwali

Dhanteras: The first day, focused on wealth and prosperity, is traditionally a time to buy precious metals such as gold.

Naraka Chaturdashi: This day marks Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura.

Lakshmi Puja: The main day of Diwali, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi.

Govardhan Puja: Celebrating Lord Krishna’s protection of the people by lifting Mount Govardhan.

Bhai Dooj: The final day, focused on the bond between brothers and sisters.

Depending on where you are from in India or your Hindu denomination, New Year is celebrated soon after the festival comes to an end. This five-day celebration is an extended period of joy, spirituality, and family gatherings, with Diwali itself being the central event. Families come together to share food, gifts, and blessings.

“It’s more of a festival…for kind of catching up with family,” Shweta says. Preparing your home for Diwali is a meaningful and festive ritual, filled with deep spiritual significance. By cleaning, decorating with lights and flowers, and creating beautiful Rangoli designs, you’re not only honouring the traditions of this ancient festival but also preparing a welcoming space for Goddess Lakshmi.

Diwali is a time of reflection, joy, and togetherness, where families come together to celebrate the triumph of good over evil and to seek blessings for the coming year.

Whether it’s lighting diyas or offering prayers, each tradition is a reminder of the spiritual significance behind the festival.

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