Diwali, Deepawali, Divali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists. It is an ancient festival mentioned in early scriptures as far back as the 1st millennium CE.
For someone like me who grew up in England, Diwali often coincides with Bonfire Night, 5th November. A burning of the effigy of Guy Fawkes who plotted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.
This year, the two events coincide again, and we will have fireworks in abundance across the land.
Every year since I moved to London, my older sister's house was the place to go on Diwali day. I would take the day off if my BBC News shift ran into the night and sometimes I would go dressed in a saree to work if I could get away early. When the children were little, we could only do Diwali at Masi’s house. Because they have the best fireworks there, not always in her back garden, but the neighbours would have amazing displays of rockets. Southall, or Little Indian, has one of the largest diaspora from India, mostly Sikhs from the Punjab. The proximity to Heathrow and the abundance of jobs at local factories resulted in it being called this. Punjabi people really know how to celebrate. The food is in abundance, the fireworks stupendous and they have the spirit of celebrating Diwali without inhibitions.
This year my little sister surprised us and turned up from the Midlands. It was lovely to have everyone there. Missed my sons though, they had work.
What is Diwali
Diwali is a five-day festival starting from 2nd November until 6th November.
Nov 2nd - Dhanteras
Nove 3rd - Kali Chaudas and Hanuman Puja
Nov 4th - Diwali and Lakshmi Puja
Nov 5th - Govardhan Puja and Gujarati New Year)
Nov 6th - Bhai Dooj or Bhai Beej
The festivities start with Dhanteras, Dhan - wealth, teras - thirteenth, as it marks the thirteenth night of the dark fortnight of Kartik. It is the day for cleaning houses, painting rangoli in entrances and doorways. In the evening, families shop for utensils, household goods, jewellery and fireworks and light the first diya. To welcome Laxmi into the house. We used to go to Leicester, to Belgrave Road, now known as the Golden Mile, and my parents would purchase a piece of gold.
The second day is Hanuman Puja and Kali Chaudas. In my family, Kali Chaudas is the night when spirits roam free, and Hanuman, who is strong and powerful, is worshipped to seek protection from the spirits. It is the day we make bhajia, clear the house of rubbish, and either me or my younger sister would take bhajia, rice, sindoor and a glass of water to a crossroads. According to my father, spirits hung out at crossroads and if we gave them food and offered our prayers, they wouldn’t come into our homes. It's also the day we made mithai to eat and distribute to friends and family.
Day three is the height of the festival. Many businesses perform Laxmi puja in the evening and then use the diya from the puja to light the remaining diya that line all the windows and doorways of the houses. As the evening approaches, everyone dresses in new clothes or their best clothes, bejewelled in their finest gold and families gather for Laxmi pujan and blessings from the elders. Afterwards everyone gathers to light fireworks and share a family feast, with various vegetables, rice, breads, mithai and farsan. It is on this day that the path back to Ayodhya was lit for Rama and Sita to return after their fourteen years of exile and their defeat of the Demonic Ravana, King of Lanka. The triumph of good over evil, the return of hope over despair and the welcoming of enlightenment.
The day after Diwali is the first day of the bright fortnight in the lunar calendar and is also the Gujarati New Year. It is the day of Govardhan pujan, the celebration of the legend of Krishna, who sheltered the cowherd and farming communities from rains and floods triggered by Indra's anger. By using Govardhan the mountain as an enormous umbrella. In Gujarat, Annukat is celebrated with one hundred dishes offered as prasad in the mandir; the offerings are then share with all in the community. Many Gujarati families visit relatives and friends, wishing them Nutan Varsh Abhinandan - Happy New Year.
The last day of the festival is known as Bhai Dhooj, - literal translation brother’s day. In Gujarat it is Bhai Beej, A day to celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters. Unlike Raksha Bandhan, the brother travels to meet the sister who greets him with a tilak and feeds him with her own hands, therefore making their bond even stronger. In ancient times, the brother would travel to his sister’s with a bountiful harvest, thus providing her with sustenance for the coming months.
Writing Life
I always write something about Hindu festivals in my books. The ceremonies and festivities from my Indian Heritage ground me to my cultural background. Read the extract from Where Have We Come, Book Two of Reena and Nikesh, University Series. A finalist Wishing Shelf Book Award.
Diwali dinner at my house is a lengthy affair; we have starters, main course, dessert, mithai, tea or coffee. Then the fireworks display starts. Usually, it’s Amit who lights the fireworks while we watch, but tonight, Nik has taken on the task, rushing back to the French doors to wait patiently as the twins argue amongst themselves for the next one. I’m enclosed in my brother’s arms, watching as the rockets and fireworks light up the night sky.
My father has a protective arm around Smita Bhabhi and Divya Ba, and we observe the twins’ faces light up as they ooh and aah at the colourful swirls and magnificent flowers in the sky. My husband’s eyes sparkle just as much as the fireworks. He is relaxed with the children; at times like this he becomes the carefree man I used to know. His dazzling smile and his easy laughter permeate through my soul and I fall in love with him even more.