Group Presentation on Diwali Festival of Lights Markodane Wright Atasha Clarke Nordia Morant

Diwali which is also referred to as Deepaboli/Deepavali, the "festival of lights" is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated in autumn (northern hemisphere) or spring (southern hemisphere) every year. Diwali is one of the largest and brightest festivals in India.

The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair.

Its celebration includes millions of lights shining on housetops, outside doors and windows, around temples and other buildings in the communities and countries where it is observed.

The festival preparations and rituals typically extend over a five day period, but the main festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika. In the Gregorian calendar, Diwali night falls between mid-October and mid- November.

The night of before Diwali is marked by people cleaning, renovating, and decorating their homes and offices. On the night Diwali, Hindus dress up in new clothes or their best outfit, light up diyas (lamps and candles) inside and outside their home, participate in family puja (prayers) typically to Lakshmi which is the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

After puja, fireworks ensue, then a family feast including mithai (sweets), and an exchange of gifts between family members and close friends. Deepavali also marks a major shopping period in nations where it is celebrated.

The Origin of Diwali Historically, the origin of Diwali can be traced back to ancient India, when it was probably an important harvest festival. However, there are various legends pointing to the origin of Diwali or 'Deepawali.' Some believe it to be the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu.

Diwali also commemorates the return of Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshman from his fourteen year long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana.

The Significance of Lights & Firecrackers All the simple rituals of Diwali have a significance and a story to tell. The illumination of homes with lights and the skies with firecrackers is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity.

The Tradition of Gambling The tradition of gambling on Diwali also has a legend behind it. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband Lord Shiva, and she decreed that whosoever gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the ensuing year.

Five Days of Diwali On the first day of Diwali, housewives consider it auspicious to spring clean the home and shop for gold or kitchen utensils. On the second day, people decorate their homes with clay lamps or diyas and create design patterns called rangoli on the floor using coloured powders or sand.

The third day is the main day of the festival when families gather together for Lakshmi puja, a prayer to Goddess Lakshmi followed by mouth-watering feasts and firework festivities. The fourth day is the first day of the New Year when friends and relatives visit with gifts and best wishes for the season. On the last day of Diwali, brothers visit their married sisters who welcome them with love and a lavish meal.

Legends of Diwali The festival celebrates the abundance of autumn harvest and is dedicated to various gods and goddesses. The festival also marks an important date in the Indian calendar, as the North Indian kingdom of Avadha has celebrated this as the last day of Lord Rama's long exile of fourteen years.

Additionally, as the citizens of Ajodhya eagerly awaited their beloved prince's return, they lit thousands of lamps to guide his flying vimana to their city. The darkest night of the year gave way to a glorious morning as Rama returned with his wife and brothers to his ancestral kingdom of Avadha.

The Diwali festivals is also used to celebrates the gracious nature of the three goddesses, Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati. Dhanteras (two days before Diwali) is dedicated to Lakshmi, whose blessings are essential for a prosperous, fruitful and peaceful life. Kali- Chudash (the day before Diwali) is dedicated to Maha Kali whose strength we seek to maintain the wealth we have. Strength, physical, mental and spiritual, is essential for all of us to lead a happy life.

Reasons why Diwali is celebrated Goddess Lakshmi: The Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi was incarnated on the new moon day (amaavasyaa) of the Kartik month during the churning of the ocean (samudra-manthan), hence the association of Diwali with Lakshmi.  Vishnu Rescued Lakshmi: On this very day, Lord Vishnu in his fifth incarnation as Vaman-avtaara rescued Lakshmi from the prison of King Bali and this is another reason of worshipping Ma Larkshmi on Diwali. 

Krishna Killed Narakaasur: On the day preceding Diwali, Lord Krishna killed the demon king Narakaasur and rescued 16,000 women from his captivity. The celebration of this freedom went on for two days including the Diwali day as a victory festival.  The Return of the Pandavas: According to the great epic 'Mahabharata', it was 'Kartik Amavashya' when the Pandavas appeared from their 12 years of banishment as a result of their defeat in the hands of the Kauravas at the game of dice (gambling). The subjects who loved the Pandavas celebrated the day by lighting the earthen lamps. 

The Victory of Rama: According to the epic 'Ramayana', it was the new moon day of Kartik when Lord Ram, Ma Sita and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after vanquishing Ravana and conquering Lanka. The citizens of Ayodhya decorated the entire city with the earthen lamps and illuminated it like never before.  Coronation of Vikramaditya: One of the greatest Hindu King Vikramaditya was coroneted on the Diwali day, hence Diwali became a historical event as well.

Diwali Gifts On this day, people buy something for their house or some jewellery for the women of the house. It is auspicious to buy something metallic on Diwali festival, such as silver. People exchange sweets, wear new clothes and buy jewellery on this festive time. The arrival of this festival brings with it joyous shopping sprees for sweets, Diwali gifts and fireworks.

Food Delights of Diwali Diwali without sweets and savouries cannot be imagined! Diwali celebrations cannot be authentic without the serving of specific types of food during this auspicious occasion. Diwali is the festival of lights, fireworks and especially, ethnic sweets! On Diwali, there is a custom to exchange sweets with friends, family and neighbours. It is a joyful time for people to gather and celebrate the triumph of good over evil.

The list of special Diwali sweets (Mathai) include freshly made Jalebis, Gulag Jamul, Shankar pale, Kheer, Ajar Ki Halwa, Kajoo Barfi, Suji Halwa, Besan Ke Ladoo and Karanji are amongst the most popular during this occasion. Along with sweet dishes there are some savoury favourites too. These include Dahi-Bhalle, Karanji, Samosas, Pakora, Mathiyaa, Ghathiya and Aloo Tikki which are very popular.

Some of the dishes cooked for the celebration include: Channa (chick peas) Saag (spinach) Daal Maharani (three different daals mixed) Navratan Korma (mix vegetables and paneer) Khasta Aloo (curried potatoes) Malai Wali Subzi Kofta (diced cabbage and spinach balls) Nariyal Aur Badam Wale Chawal (Basmati rice with coconut) Pooris (fried soft round breads)