In a year like this, more than ever we need to let the light of hope shine.
What better way to do this than in the form of a fun, joyful festival known as Diwali, which this takes switching on the lights quite literally, in the form of spectacular firework displays and gorgeous lanterns. Although, there is a bit more to it than just switching on some lights, and the spiritual and religious meaning behind the festival is both fascinating and interesting.
Diwali – or ‘festival of lights’ - is a religious festival observed by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. All these religions celebrate Diwali with slightly varying traditions. For example, Hindus celebrate as the day that Lord Rama returned, a Hindu god who was exiled from Ayodhya, his home city, down to an evil plot by his stepmother Kaikeyi.
Most people mainly associate Diwali with the lighting of lamps. These do have several significant meanings, with the light of hope shining through the dark, the wholesome message that things will get better and showing gratitude and appreciation for all you already have in your life.
Especially in a year like this, it feels like someone has switched off the lights and left us in the dark room. Diwali is about all celebrating good over evil, with these lamps and lights meant to give darkness and evil the good old heave-ho! While a large number of the UK population do not celebrate Diwali (they’re missing out however, keep reading!) we could all think about the importance of having a little bit of light in our lives, to help us cope with some of the negative things which have happened this year, from COVID-19 to protesting and riots.
Many homes where Diwali is observed will have oil lamps - known as diyas - with ghee and cotton wicks and while they provide a bit of light to these wonderful, vibrant celebrations, they hold another significant cultural meaning too. When Lord Ram, his wife Sita and brother Lakshman came back to Ajodhya after Lord Ram’s 14-year exile and victory over the evil Ravan, people lit lamps to celebrate their beloved and caring king, as they had defied and fought against Kaikeyi’s evil plot. Again, all about celebrating good over evil through switching on (well… lighting, this was a few hundred years before the light switch!) the lights.
Although Lord Ram’s return took place thousands of years ago, the tradition is very much alive and well (in fact the biggest event in the Hindu calendar) due to the fact Diwali is a time of going from darkness to light, and these diyas are meant to signify getting rid of darkness and dispelling evil and negativity.
However, every Diwali-observing religion celebrates the festival for a different reason, and Sikh is no exception. They celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas (Persian for Prisoner Release Day, not entirely the same as Diwali), to celebrate the return of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. Guru Ji was a political prisoner who was freed in 1619 and arrived home around the time of Diwali. Once again, the lights are switched on (or lit by a candle or match too) and they are used to dispel evil and bring happiness!
Sikh celebrations involve going to the Gurdwara for prayer, to remember the day heroic political prisoner Guru Hargobind Ji was realised from prison. Diwali marked the day when Guru Hargobind Ji returned to Amritsar after many years of enslavement by the Mughal ruler Jahangir for standing against the unjust and brutal practices of the Mughal empire. Sikh and Hindu Diwali celebrations share a lot of similarities but take place for different reasons.
Regardless of religion however, the celebration is always one that is (quite rightly) celebrated with enthusiasm and excitement. One such person who has continually celebrated Diwali – alongside family and friends - for many years is Vijay, an entrepreneur and business owner from Glasgow.
“During the week before the festival, celebrations at my home begin with a spring clean, well at least that is what I call it even though it takes place around November! This deep clean is seen as way of welcoming god Lakshmi into the home, since ‘cleanliness is next to godliness!’
“Diwali food is almost always seen as delicious by everyone, including myself. It is nostalgic and takes me back to when I was a kid. And as most Diwali recipes and dishes are passed down through generations, it is not uncommon for adults to have the same meals they had as kids celebrating the festival. Another nicety I do with my family during Diwali is the preparation of Diwali bags.
“Diwali bags contain sweets, food items, candles (as it is the festival of lights) and other presents to be gifted to relatives. The day before the start of the actual Diwali festival, my family and I will visit our relatives, give them the bags and wish them a “very happy Diwali”. The pretty lights do not just stop with the candles however, the children will decorate the house with modern led lights. This responsibility is passed on to my children, with surprising levels of success! Meanwhile, my wife decorates the house with beautiful lanterns, decorative diyas and candles which add both a decorative and spiritual touch to the celebrations.
“On the first day of the Diwali festival, everyone is dressed up in the brightest of clothes as per tradition, it is fantastic! The main events start in the evening, with prayer headed by my Mum. Laxmi Puja is the name of this prayer ceremony, and my whole family participates. Soon after, my close family begin to arrive. But the party only starts once everyone arrives, in the name of inclusivity.
“Everyone chats with each other over some good food and enjoy a firework display in the garden alongside some music. Although it is a chilly autumn evening, the fireworks go on for a few hours as well, alongside some hot food. It’s a tradition I have celebrated and enjoyed since I was a kid being brought up in the West end of. Diwali has always been an important event for me, reminding me of all that is good and right with the world."
These celebrations are very much enjoyed by everyone and have enormous personal meaning. Pam is a Sikh woman who has also celebrated the Diwali festival for many years in the Glasgow city area, and she talks about her personal experiences with the festival:
“The memories still stay close today reminding me of those olden happy days. My late father made it a point to celebrate Diwali always with his Hindu and Sikh friends, as he was very strong on inclusivity and celebrating together. Being a British Indian Sikh female born in Glasgow, I have seen both sides and, if I am being honest, most of the time I forget that this festival is celebrated for different reasons. To me it is the one festival that we all celebrate no matter if you are a Hindu, Sikh, or Jain.
“We start the morning with making sure we have a clean home, and then we dress up in new colourful clothes. Decorating the front door with candles is a tradition alongside my Mum’s delicious homemade Indian foods, including famous traditional sweets, Jalebis. Jalebis is a syrupy sweet dish that goes round and round like a maze, my Mum even makes it low fat with less sugar so that we can eat more and not feel guilty.
“Growing up, we started with sparklers as we lived in flats on Argyle Street. Eventually, when we got a house with a garden, we added fireworks. At the end of the evening this was the showstopper setting the sky alight. Although, I do remember our white, non-Diwali observing neighbours asking why we were celebrating Guy Fawkes so late. Diwali is now more widely known, I hope.
“My Mum always helps at the Gurdwara, making traditional Indian sweets for the hundreds coming through the doors that day. We go a little later to the Gurdwara to light candles for every family member, wishing them health, wealth, and happiness. The local Gurdwara always has an amazing firework display to celebrate Diwali and lots of people from all communities’ attend. It is an open event where everyone is welcome, regardless of your background. It is hard to replicate the festival as it is done in India, however we make sure that we make it a day to remember for everyone. I am so happy to be able to celebrate in Glasgow with friends and family, we live in a diverse place that everybody feels they belong. Here, we can easily connect to our Indian roots without feeling a stranger in the place we were born.
“My Dad was a close friend of Vijay’s Dad and they celebrated Diwali together and it was Diwali discussion amongst me and Vijay that made us remember our connection over 30 years ago. We may move on to different paths however celebrations like Diwali will always bring us together.”
One thing that is clear from Vijay’s and Pam’s joyful Diwali experiences is that it is a very inclusive and friendly event, with a focus on celebrating Lord Ram for the Hindu community. Diwali is an enjoyable, fun festival for all, whether it is being celebrated by a family in an Indian city or an accepting, diverse (and freezing cold, especially in November) city such as Glasgow.
As the months get darker let us think about the happiness and joy just switching on, or getting a match, and lighting some lights can bring us. Even if one does not observe Diwali, there are many principles and ideas which can be brought from this joyous, delightful festival. Never has the message, “there’s light at the end of the tunnel” and the idea of light being good been more important than now.
Not to mention, there will always be a pretty show of lights and fireworks during this time of year!