INDIAN FESTIVALS
DIWALI
Diwali is an Indian festival that originates from the Hindu religion. The name Diwali is a shortened version of the word ‘Dipavali’ which means ‘row of lights’. Diwali is a 5 day long festival that lasts from the end of the Hindu month of Ashwin and the start of the month of Kartik. In our calendar this falls during October or November. Diwali is a festival that marks the end of the Indian harvest and the new- year.
The most common traditional story told at Diwali is called the story of Ramayana. Ramayana is a story about Rama and Sita and Rama defeating Ravana; the victory of good over evil. During the festival of Diwali, lights or diya (oil lamps) cover streets and homes everywhere just as they did in the story of Ramayana. The lights during this festival represent peace, victory, happiness, and good over evil. Diwali is a time of optimism and happiness for a fresh start to a new year.
Hindus prepare for Diwali by cleaning and/or decorating their house. They also try to pay off any bills to make sure that they are free of debts. People will buy new clothes and give out Diwali cards to friends and family. Some families will also give presents to friends and families. Traditional food during Diwali is dried fruit, sweets and vegetarian foods.
Another important part of Diwali is welcoming Lakshmi into your home. Lakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of wealth and good luck. In pictures she is shown wearing a red sari because red is a lucky colour in India. She is also seen in pictures standing in a lotus flower with cold coins falling from her hands (lotus flower symbolises purity). Hindus want to welcome Lakshmi into their homes for good luck and fortune for the New Year. People would also clean their homes to welcome Lakshmi because it is believed that Lakshmi would not reward lazy people. Diyas (small oil lamps) used to decorate homes to attract the Goddess.
The most common traditional story told at Diwali is called the story of Ramayana. Ramayana is a story about Rama and Sita and Rama defeating Ravana; the victory of good over evil. During the festival of Diwali, lights or diya (oil lamps) cover streets and homes everywhere just as they did in the story of Ramayana. The lights during this festival represent peace, victory, happiness, and good over evil. Diwali is a time of optimism and happiness for a fresh start to a new year.
Hindus prepare for Diwali by cleaning and/or decorating their house. They also try to pay off any bills to make sure that they are free of debts. People will buy new clothes and give out Diwali cards to friends and family. Some families will also give presents to friends and families. Traditional food during Diwali is dried fruit, sweets and vegetarian foods.
Another important part of Diwali is welcoming Lakshmi into your home. Lakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of wealth and good luck. In pictures she is shown wearing a red sari because red is a lucky colour in India. She is also seen in pictures standing in a lotus flower with cold coins falling from her hands (lotus flower symbolises purity). Hindus want to welcome Lakshmi into their homes for good luck and fortune for the New Year. People would also clean their homes to welcome Lakshmi because it is believed that Lakshmi would not reward lazy people. Diyas (small oil lamps) used to decorate homes to attract the Goddess.
Some people create rangoli patterns on their doorsteps as another symbol to attract Lakshmi. Rangoli patterns are traditionally made from flour, rice and bright coloured spices such as turmeric and cayenne; although these days drawings are commonly made from chalk or powder paint instead. Rangoli drawings are usually symmetrical patterns or drawings. The most popular rangoli drawings are lotus flowers as they are a symbol of Lakshmi.
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Women and girls often have Mehndi patterns drawn onto their hands to celebrate the festival. The Mehndi patterns would be drawn with henna paste which leaves a mark or stain on the skin for days.
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![Picture](/uploads/2/4/5/3/24530508/47015.jpg?193)
Another important part of Diwali is welcoming Lakshmi into your home. Lakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of wealth and fortune. Hindus decorate their homes and perform many rituals to welcome Lakshmi into their home during the festival of Diwali in the hope of receiving good fortune for the new year. Hindus perform what is called 'Lakshmi Puja' to welcome Lakshmi into their homes. Lakshmi Puja means Lakshmi prayer or worship.In pictures she is shown wearing a red sari because red is a lucky colour in India. She is also seen in pictures standing in a lotus flower with cold coins falling from her hands (lotus flower symbolises purity). People would also clean their homes to welcome Lakshmi because it is believed that Lakshmi would not reward lazy people. Diyas (small oil lamps) used to decorate homes to attract the Goddess.
bibliography
Simple-rangoli, 2011, Photograph, India Scanner, accessed 29 November 2013, <http://indiascanner.com/rangoli-design-pattern-diwali-57482>.
Hindouisme, 2012, Illustration, Atasi.india.mania, accessed 29 November 2013, <http://atasi.over-blog.com/tag/Hindouisme/>.
Ramayana:story of Diwali 2012, DVD, Mocomi Kids, YouTube.
Simple-rangoli, 2011, Photograph, India Scanner, accessed 29 November 2013, <http://indiascanner.com/rangoli-design-pattern-diwali-57482>.
Hindouisme, 2012, Illustration, Atasi.india.mania, accessed 29 November 2013, <http://atasi.over-blog.com/tag/Hindouisme/>.
Ramayana:story of Diwali 2012, DVD, Mocomi Kids, YouTube.