It's such a special time of the year, and for those who celebrate Diwali, the anticipation is building as we get ready to welcome the festival of lights on Sunday, 12th November. Dates for Diwali change every year due to the lunar calendar. So, let's dive into the world of Diwali and see how this festival brings light, joy, and prosperity to our lives.
The Festival of Lights
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the festival of lights. It's a time when the night sky comes alive with a dazzling display of lamps and fireworks. The essence of this festival lies in the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The festival's significance varies among different regions and cultures, but at its core, Diwali is a celebration of hope, positivity, and the victory of righteousness.
Modern-Day Diwali Celebrations
In modern times, Diwali celebrations are a splendid mix of tradition and innovation. While every family has its unique customs and rituals, there are certain practices that are almost universal. It's the time to invite the Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity, into our homes.
The preparations for Diwali typically begin with a thorough cleaning of our homes. This cleansing process signifies the removal of negativity and the welcoming of positive energy. After the cleaning spree, it's time to prepare delicious delights. Mouthwatering treats like samosas, papri chaat, gol gapeh, jalebi, and ladoos are lovingly made and devoured by families and friends.
One of the most beautiful and artistic aspects of Diwali is the creation of rangoli mandalas at the front door. These intricate and colorful designs not only serve as a warm welcome but also symbolize the unity and togetherness of the family.
To invite Goddess Lakshmi into our homes, we light the path to our doorways with diyas, traditional oil lamps. Keeping the doors and windows slightly open is believed to create an inviting atmosphere for the goddess.
New clothes are a must for Diwali, symbolizing a fresh start and a new beginning. Sweets are shared with friends and family to spread sweetness and joy. Though in some cases, the distance between loved ones might make this a bit challenging especially for me as 90% of my family and friends are in London.
A key element of the Diwali celebration is the puja, a religious ritual. During this time, we offer deities food, water, and abundance. One common practice during this puja is to expand our treasure by adding one coin to it every year. Using actual silver coins is considered particularly auspicious. If silver coins aren't available, we use what we have on hand. The coins, beetle nuts from the previous year are washed with a mixture of milk and water, symbolizing purity, and are then offered to the deities, Lakshmi, and Ganesha, are represented with betel nuts.
Each element in the puja has a symbolic meaning. Special threads represent clothing, sugar represents food, and the act of bathing the deities represents water. All these elements come together to create a deeply spiritual experience. 
In the midst of our joyful Diwali celebrations, there's an important element of sustainability and eco-friendliness that often goes unnoticed. All the organic matter used in the puja, such as the mixture of milk and water, the threads, and sugar from the previous year, cannot simply be discarded down the sink. Instead, we offer these materials back to nature. Hindus believe that water is sacred because it is the foundation for the growth of plant, animal and human life. The act of placing organic offerings in water after pooja represents a return to origins.
In our family we offer it to a tree, a simple yet profound gesture that honours the cycle of life. This act of returning what we've used to the earth is a reminder of the interconnectedness of all living things and our responsibility to care for the world around us.
After the prayers, it's time to sit, eat, and play some games. And speaking of games, did you know that playing cards has a special place in Diwali celebrations? It's a tradition deeply rooted in mythology and folklore. Legend has it that Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband, Lord Shiva, on Diwali night. During this divine game, the Goddess declared that those who gambled on Diwali night would prosper throughout the coming year. Since then, the tradition of playing cards, including games like bluff and rummy, with stakes on Deepawali, has become popular.
This unique blend of ancient mythology and modern entertainment adds a thrilling and fun dimension to Diwali festivities, keeping the spirit of celebration alive. So, as the cards are dealt and the bets are placed, may your Diwali bring you not only joy and prosperity but also a touch of luck and excitement. I usually buy lottery tickets for the boys and I.
As the day comes to a close, our hearts and homes are filled with light, love, and laughter. We wish for a prosperous and happy New Year, welcoming the days ahead with open arms and radiant smiles.
So, as the joyous festival of Diwali approaches, let's come together to celebrate the victory of light over darkness and the hope for a brighter future. May your homes be illuminated with happiness, and your hearts brim with joy.
Diwali Mubarak!
