Diwali Research
Diwali, a Festival of Lights
Diwali, or Deepavali, is a well-known Hindu festival which is celebrated every year between October and November. In Hindu term, it is falls on a day called Dhanteras. Dhanteras is the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the Hindu calendar month Ashwin. Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. Some examples of tradition are lathering themselves with oil before bathing, praying together, cooking traditional Hindu delicacies such as thosai, idli and laddoo, and also others.
The history of Diwali itself dates back to between 12,000 BC and 4,000 BC, where it was said that Lord Krishna, the Emperor of Dwaraka, a righteous and just emperor, defeated Karna, an asura (demon) who waged war against Dwaraka and other regions of India. Other sources state that it is celebrated after Lord Rama defeated the demon Ravana who terrorized the people of Ayodhya. Either way, the message here is clear. Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the triumph of good over evil.
The term ‘Festival of Lights’ seems to fit perfectly with Diwali. On this day, one could see Hindu houses decorated with colourful lights and oil lamps. This will be placed in the entrance of the till the back of house. There will also be a special pathway or walkway decorated with oil lamps which leads from this entrance till the entrance of the prayer room. This is because, Hindus believe that on this day, Lakshmi the Goddess of Wealth would visit houses that has created this walkway for her to enter their house and bless them with wealth and happiness for the coming year.
On this day, the houses of Hindus will be decorated with “kolam’ (a beautiful and colourful geometrical line drawing composed of curved loops, drawn around a grid pattern of dots) at the entrance. This is made with coloured uncooked rice. They would cook several delicacies and have an
Diwali, or Deepavali, is a well-known Hindu festival which is celebrated every year between October and November. In Hindu term, it is falls on a day called Dhanteras. Dhanteras is the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the Hindu calendar month Ashwin. Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. Some examples of tradition are lathering themselves with oil before bathing, praying together, cooking traditional Hindu delicacies such as thosai, idli and laddoo, and also others.
The history of Diwali itself dates back to between 12,000 BC and 4,000 BC, where it was said that Lord Krishna, the Emperor of Dwaraka, a righteous and just emperor, defeated Karna, an asura (demon) who waged war against Dwaraka and other regions of India. Other sources state that it is celebrated after Lord Rama defeated the demon Ravana who terrorized the people of Ayodhya. Either way, the message here is clear. Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the triumph of good over evil.
The term ‘Festival of Lights’ seems to fit perfectly with Diwali. On this day, one could see Hindu houses decorated with colourful lights and oil lamps. This will be placed in the entrance of the till the back of house. There will also be a special pathway or walkway decorated with oil lamps which leads from this entrance till the entrance of the prayer room. This is because, Hindus believe that on this day, Lakshmi the Goddess of Wealth would visit houses that has created this walkway for her to enter their house and bless them with wealth and happiness for the coming year.
On this day, the houses of Hindus will be decorated with “kolam’ (a beautiful and colourful geometrical line drawing composed of curved loops, drawn around a grid pattern of dots) at the entrance. This is made with coloured uncooked rice. They would cook several delicacies and have an