April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
OUR NEIGHBORS' FAITH
Diwali, Hindu festival of lights
Diwali holidays enhance the bonding to the community. Diwali falls, according to the Hindu calendar, between the end of October and the middle of November. Although traditionally, Diwali originated as a harvest festival before the beginning of winter to express gratitude to the Goddess of resources, Laxmi, in modern days it is celebrated as the first day of the new financial year. Diwali is a national holiday in India.
The name "Deepavali" comes from Sanskrit word "Deepa," which means lights; "avali" means "rows of lights." During this festival, every home is decorated with clay lamps outside and inside the houses. The lights represent the inner light, the light of the heart. The light of clay lamps is very soothing and nurturing to body, mind and soul.
Along with these soothing lights, there are dazzling fireworks and strings of electric lights in the whole neighborhood.
During the four days of the festival, family, friends and community gather to enjoy sweets, delicious food. They bring flowers and incense to worship the Goddess Laxmi. Doors and windows are kept open with clay lamps to welcome Goddess Laxmi into the home.
Before the first night of Diwali, houses are thoroughy cleaned and decorated. There is a sweet aroma of flowers and incense in each household. Children and adults go to bed with great anticipation of festivities for the next four days.
On the first day of Diwali, everyone gets up before sunrise to take a bath. They wear colorful clothes and become ready to welcome the inner light by eradicating spiritual darkness by performing puja and chanting prayers for health and prosperity.
Then everyone is ready for delicious food, called "Prasad," with their family and friends. "Prasad" means the food offered to the Lord before the festive meal.
The second day of Diwali is Laxmi puja, with worship of the Goddess Laxmi as the main festivity: lighted clay lamps, patterned designs called "Ranngli" on the fronts of houses and colorful powders. What a celebration it is, with mouthwatering dishes and dazzling fireworks.
The third day is dedicated to the husband-and-wife relationship, which is celebrated by an exchange of gold ornaments, gifts and sweets.
The last day of Diwali is to strengthen the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters welcome brothers and treat them with lavish food. Brothers shower sisters with gifts. This day is also celebrated in the community for brotherly and sisterly love - a very sweet and tender day indeed.
Non-Hindu communities celebrate the festival with Hindu communities by sharing gifts and having meals together. Diwali is as important to Hindus as Christmas to Christians.
In the tri-city area, Diwali is celebrated in all three cities' temples with a lot of enthusiasm and respect for tradition. In the Hindu temple on Albany Shaker Road, at least 500 families participate for four days, offering prayers and performing puja. The last day is a grand finale with many dainty dishes and a spectacular firework display, enjoyed equally by children and adults. The Guyanese temple in Schenectady and the Laxmi-Naraayan temple near Wolf Road in Colonie are also places for Diwali celebrations.
This year, the festival starts Oct. 23 and ends Oct. 26. Everyone is welcome to join the festivities at all three temples.
(Mr. Joshi is from the Hindu Temple Society of the Capital Region.)[[In-content Ad]]
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