The Indian
Festival of lights is around the corner! Take a look at how world celebrates
this glorious festival! - Brought to you by PartsAvatar Auto Replacement Parts.
One of the most
significant festivals in Indian culture, Diwali, the festival of lights, sees
millions attend firework displays, prayers and celebratory events across the
world every autumn. Now, even some Canadian cities are allowed to showcase
Diwali fireworks. Diwali is more than feasting and merrymaking. Check it out.
To celebrate it,
houses are decorated with colourful lights and candles. Feasts are held by
families and gifts are exchanged. Fireworks are the star of the show.
Diwali celebrates triumph of good over evil!!
Diwali is the
five day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Indians across the
world. Celebrations take place when the monsoon season ends and the weather
becomes mild and pleasant. India is a country where different religions are
practised. Diwali also holds its own significance for each religion.
Diwali or
“Deepawali” symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. In India, and among Hindus,
the festival is generally celebrated to honour Lord Rama. Lord Rama returned to
Ayodhya after 14 years of exile during which he fought and won a battle against
demon king Ravana. At that time, on his arrival, people lit their houses to
celebrate his victory over evil.
Sikhs celebrate
Diwali as “Bandi Chor Diwas” to honour their sixth guru Hargobind. Guru
Hargobind and 52 other princes were released by Mughal Emperor Jahangir and
Sikhs celebrated the return of Guru by lighting the Golden Temple and this
tradition continues today.
In southern
India, Diwali often commemorates the conquering of Asuka Naraka, king of Assam,
who imprisoned thousands of inhabitants. Krishna subdued Naraka and freed the
prisoners.
Among jains,
Diwali honours the attainment of moksha or liberation of the soul by Mahavira,
one of the 24 Tirthankaras of the religion.
How is Diwali celebrated?
Diwali is an
occasion for everyone either they are young or old, rich or poor. The goddess
of lakshmi is worshipped on this day. People believe that the goddess of
happiness and good fortune, lakshmi roams the earth and enters the house that
is pure and clean.
Houses are often
white washed and house is thoroughly cleaned before diwali. People also light
traditional earthen candles called diyas and decorate their houses with
colourful rangoli- patterns created on floor using colored rice or powder.
While many
people refrain from eating meat during the holiday, vegetarian dishes as curries
and lentils are enjoyed. However, without Sweets, Diwali celebrations are
incomplete. Gulab Jamun, Chevda, Barfi and Laddoos and Gujiyas are popular and
can be found on feast table of an Indian family.
Diwali celebrations in Canada!
In Canada,
various celebratory events are organized in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto. The
Vishnu Mandir attracts thousands of followers. Many cultural events like Miss Diwali
queen are organized.
People use this
festival to spend quality time with their friends and family and enjoy sweets
like gulab jamun, Ras malai and jalebis.
The diwali fest
in Brampton is the biggest of its kind in Canada. It’s a three day festival
that features dance competitions, delicious meals and a massive food drive.
At night people
gather at temple to perform puja and firecrackers are burst afterwards.
On this day many
musical events and other culinary events are organized. People get together
with their family and friends and enjoy dance. The crowd can exceed 10000 at a
diwali event. So, it is quite profitable for organizers.
It is multicultural
events as not only bhagra or bollywood dances are organized but the artists
from Africa, Cuba and first nations also make it a memorable night.
Celebrations in Picturesque island of Mauritius!!
Hindu population
is dominant in Mauritius and almost every religion celebrates Diwali with full
spirit. Diwali is a declared public holiday on this multi cultural island and
nation’s most striking celebration happens in village of Triolet where all
residents take part in festivities and burst crackers.
Lakshmi is
worshipped as the goddess of wealth and crackers are burnt to scare away evil
spirits.
Celebrations in the foothills of Himalayas- Nepal!!
The Nepal’s
multi lingual society is the only Hindu Kingdom of the world. Diwali in Nepal
is known as Tihar. Ganesh and lakshmi are worshipped on this day in Nepal. The
festival continues for five days.
The first day is
dedicated to cows as they cook the rice and feed the cows believing that it is
fed to goddess lakshmi. Delicious food is prepared for dogs- the vahana of
bhairava on second day. On third day, lights and lamps are lit and fire
crackers are burst. The fourth day is dedicated to god of death- the Yama and
he is worshipped for long life. The fifth and last day is dedicated to brothers
for their long life and is called bhaiya dooj.
Diwali celebrations in the southern tip of Africa-
South Africa!!
Asians in South
Africa form two percent of their total population. In 19th century,
Indian labourers were brought by the British from India to work in the mines of
South Africa. Diwali holds special place in the festival calendar of South
Africa.
In 2007, South
Africa marked 100th year of celebrations of the festival in the
country.
Celebrations in the fantasy land of Singapore.
Known as
Deepavali, it is a public holiday in Singapore. The streets of little India are
transformed by colourful flowers, buntings and lights. Storefronts are
decorated in hues of red and gold and the sweet aroma of flowers and incense
fills the air.
Each Hindu home
is decorated with rangoli and special market opens for the duration of the
festival, full of treats and open air concerts.
Celebrations in the truly Asian country - Malaysia!
Islam is the
official and major religion of Malaysia but like Singapore, the little India
area in Kuala lampur celebrates Diwali with full spirit.
Friends and
family pray together and offer blessings of the year past and the year to come.
Many Indian restaurants offer special Diwali menu featuring traditional snacks
and meals.
It is celebrated
in almost all of the Malaysia except Sarawak and federal territory of Labuan.
Diwali celebrations in wonderful Indonesia!
Indonesian
island of Bali is famous for celebrating Diwali because majority of population
here is that of Indians.
Celebrations in the United States!
Big cities of
USA like New Jersey, Illinois, Texas or California host Diwali night where
priests perform customary prayers and vegetarian communal dinner is served. Friends
and family visit each other with gifts.
Diwali in the Kangaroo land- Australia!
With the large
Indian population in Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne, Diwali is
celebrated with a grand display of fireworks, live entertainment, traditional
dances and art and cultural shows.
PartsAvatar Auto
Parts wishes you a Happy and safe Diwali!!
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