Deepavali Sparkle 2024

Singapore lights up at this time of year with Deepavali celebrations happening all over the island. But first, let's know what and how festival of lights is celebrated traditionally.

A 2,500 years old tradition, Deepavali or Diwali as its called in some parts of India, is also known as the Festival of Lights. It is the most important national festival in India, celebrating the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Deepavali is even more special this year — both socially and spiritually. As the shadow cast by the coronavirus is gone.

What is Deepavali and how is it celebrated?

Deepavali festivities usually last for 5 days. Each day has a different name and rituals. In 2022, Diwali falls on October 31st - time to worship the Goddess Lakshmi (the god of wealth) and the time for a grand family feast.

For most Indians, this festival celebrates the birth of the goddess Lakshmi, who is said to have emerged from the ocean on a new moon night (the night of Deepavali), which is the 15th day of the 8th month on the Indian calendar (roughly in the period October 17 to November 14).

There are many different traditions that surround the 5-day celebrations of this holiday. Overall, it is considered an important time for introspection, cleansing, decorating, gathering, and puja (worship).

Day 1: Cleaning and Shopping

Deepavali is considered to be the start of a new year and use it as a time to get rid of the negativity of the past and perform rituals to bring luck and prosperity for the new year.

So, on the first day of Deepavali, people clean their homes and go to Deepavali markets and buy gold, silver, kitchenware, and other auspicious items to decorate their homes as well as new clothes to wear on the main day of celebrations.

Day 2: Home Decoration

Houses are decorated to welcome Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi and blessings of happiness, prosperity, and fame. Usually, people do their home decoration on the second day of Deepavali (Choti Diwali). Diwali or Deepavali means ‘row of diyas (small clay oil lamps)’, so the main decorations for Deepavali are diyas and candles. Torans (decorative ‘sacred gateways’) are hung on doors and rangoli (colorful designs made on the ground with powder) are created at the entrance of homes to please and attract Lakshmi.

Day 3 (The Main Day): Family Gatherings and Lakshmi Puja

Deepavali is a large family celebration that often involves extended families coming together for a large meal and the exchange of presents. During the main day (the third day of the celebrations), families get together, and the cities fill with lights and fireworks. Everyone puts on their most beautiful traditional clothing and takes a cleansing bath in the morning. In the evening, extended families come together for large meals, the diyas are lit, and a ritual is performed for the goddess of wealth called Lakshmi Puja.

Day 4 and 5: Gift Exchanges

The fourth day of the festival is dedicated to celebrating the love between husband and wife. Men will often buy gifts for their wives on this day. On the fifth day, families gather together to celebrate the special bond between brothers and sisters in a beautiful ceremony. During the ritual, sisters perform prayers and wish for the well-being and success of their brothers while tying a special bracelet called a rakhi around each brother’s wrist. In return, brothers often give gifts and sweets to their sisters and promise to protect them.

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Contributed by Nidhi Bhadani