What Is Diwali? (and How to Celebrate It)
Diwali, a five-day “festival of lights” celebrating the triumph of good over evil , kicked off today. The holiday originated from the Hindu religion, but has become a cultural event all over the world . And who could not use a small victory over evil?
In Hindu culture, the holiday comes from the story of the victory of Rama and Sita over the evil demon king Ravana. Watch the video below to see the whole story.
How to celebrate Diwali
As says author and consultant Andzhula Devi : “Before Diwali is very important to carry out the cleaning of the house. He must be flawless. This is so you can sweep up any mess. It is also a time for people to reflect and free their hearts from anything that bothers them or casts a shadow over their lives. “
Diwali is also a time to get rid of the old and discover the new. In the days leading up to the festival of lights, celebrants pray to Lakshmi , the goddess of prosperity and universal wealth.
Traditionally, houses are decorated with brightly colored rangoli during this time. Rangoli are intricate designs painted on the floor with flowers, sand, rice and flour . You can create your version of R angoli with colorful sand and paper .
Holidays wouldn’t be the same without desserts, and Diwali is no exception. The Times of India has a list of treats traditionally eaten at the festival, such as Gulab Jamun , a dessert made with rose water, sugar, milk powder, and cardamom.
Diwali’s main event is the most exciting. Celebrated on the third day and darkest night of the year, the new moon. The rituals include fireworks to symbolize the return of Rama, Sita and Lakshman to the Kingdom of Ayodha . The most widespread tradition of lighting diyas or clay pots with oil and cotton wicks is simply amazing.
This story was originally published in November 2020 and was updated on November 4, 2021 in line with Lifehacker’s style guidelines.