When Deepavali comes around, no one will be able to miss it. Bright neon purple, magenta, and yellow lights are seen on intricately designed arches and beautifully laid sand art adorns the ground that everyone passes by – there is no mistaking it; the Deepavali celebration is upon us.
Everyone recognises a Deepavali celebration but do we all understand what it is and why it’s celebrated? Whether you are a part of the culture that celebrates this holiday or not, it’s always respectful and interesting to learn more about it.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about the Festival of Lights! So, keep reading.
What is Deepavali?
Deepavali or Diwali is just India’s, or Tamil’s to be more specific, most celebrated holiday. Often, it’s mistaken for the Indian New Year. But, that is not the case. Its importance, however, may be equated to that of New Year or the Christian’s Christmas. But there are, of course, plenty of differences.
For one, it’s not a holiday celebrating the birth of a god. It is a celebration of the light triumphing against the dark or the good prevailing over the evil. That is why many of the particulars of this holiday are concerned with “light.”
Goodness, according to Hinduism, refers to the inner light of higher knowledge which dispels the ignorance that masks one’s true nature. This true nature transcends the physical body. With this enlightenment comes compassion and the awareness of the oneness of all things.
Usually, the date for Diwali is put on the night of the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month. This year, it will be held on 24 October.
Diwali is a very important occasion for Hindu families in Singapore
What Deepavali Means for Different Indians
The holiday is called and celebrated differently based on where you are (or where you originated from) in India.
Northern Indians or Hindi people call the holiday Diwali, while Southern Indians or the Tamils call it Deepavali. Since many of the Indians in Singapore are of Tamil descent, the celebration is more fondly called Deepavali.
Other Indians like Sikhs and Jains also celebrate lights on the same date every year, but their reason for celebrating differ. The Sikhs refer to it as Bandi Chhor Divas or “prisoner release day,” because it was the day their 6th guru, Guru Hargobind, was released from Mughal prison.
For the Jains, this date was the day Lord Mahavir attained nirvana and was finally released from endless reincarnation.
Regardless of the reasons, all of these Indians come together every year just to bring more light into this dim, dim world.
How Deepavali is Celebrated
Hindus celebrate Deepavali for five days. Sadly, those who practice celebrating this holiday do not get non-working holidays just to celebrate it. And each day corresponds to particular practice that Hindus must follow in order to celebrate this holiday properly.
Day 1
On the first day of this 5-day long celebration, Hindus clean their homes and shop for new clothes and gold objects to help bring in good fortune. Little India is the heart of Singapore’s Indian community and this is where many would go to shop.
The light-up at Little India is nothing short of spectacular with 30,000 metres of LED lights stretching from Selegie Road to Serangoon and Race Course Road. If you’re not there to shop, you’re there to break your neck staring up at these gorgeous lights.
While there, do check out the Deepavali night market which is a month-long bazaar that sells loads of delicious Indian goodies and other traditional products.
Image Source: iStock
Day 2
On this day, they decorate their homes with clay lamps and rangoli or intricate sand patterns. You will see every Indian home with clay lamps lighting the doorway and colourful and vibrant rangolis adorning their floors.
Day 3
This is the most important day of this 5-day-long celebration. The very first thing they do is to wake up very early in the morning to take oil baths.
Indian families then gather to pray to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and abundance. They call it Lakshmi puja. So, if you hear this term, expect your Tamil friends to be in deep prayer in adoration to their Goddess Lakshmi.
They also wear their new clothes to signify a new start. Men wear a traditional dhoti (a piece of cloth knotted at the waist and extending downwards to cover the man’s legs) and angavastram (a drape men wear across their shoulders).
The Punjabi suit, which is a long tunic-like top that is a cloth that drapes on top of a pair of pants, is also a common sight among Indian men. While women wear their saris (long drapes of cloth wrapped around the woman’s body) and cholis (blouse).
The rule of thumb for Diwali is the more colourful the better. Apparel that might seem over the top on most days is customary for Deepavali.
Beyond its intrinsic value, gold holds deep spiritual significance to Hindus as well. Many Hindus go out heavily decked with gold ornaments during this special occasion.
Soon after the prayer is the most awaited parts of this celebration – the feasts and the fireworks. Expect lots of sweet desserts and healthy vegan dishes. They swerve traditional Hindu snacks like kulfi, jalebi and Pongal. If you are a meat-lover, grab a bite before you head out because many Hindu households might serve only vegetarian dishes on this holy day.
Day 4
This day is for family visits and gift-giving. Family and friends come over to your place, spoil you with gifts, and wish you well for the new year ahead.
You are not expected to gift money. A small box of food will do, although it’s not mandatory.
By the way, you should refrain from gifting any sort of alcohol.
If your Indian friend invites you to their house for Deepavali, look out for religious altars or statues. Some families place a small shrine or a statue in the corner of a room. Be respectful and remove your shoes wherever there are nooks of worship.
When you get to your host’s house, a simple handshake in greeting or “Happy Diwali!” is perfectly acceptable.
Indian sweets in a plate includes Gulab Jamun, Rasgulla, kaju katli, morichoor / Bundi Laddu, Gujiya or Karanji for Deepavali celebrations. | Image source: iStock
Day 5
Brothers visit their married sisters on this day and welcome the new spouses and kids into the family.
So, that’s one holiday stretched to five days. If that’s not enough reason for us to light up, what else would?
How to Celebrate Deepavali if You’re Non-Hindu
Apart from shopping in Little India and admiring the Light Up festival, you can do loads to celebrate the holiday even if you are not a Hindu.
For one, you can try out their traditional attires. According to many Indians, as long as worn with respect, you can wear dhotis, Punjabi suits, and sarees.
You may also join their glorious feasts if they invite you and bring along some sweet desserts to add to the table. If you want to go the extra mile, learn how to make Indian sweets at home. Hopefully, they turn out alright.
You can also come to their celebrations bearing gifts like gold cutleries or accessories or new clothes. Or you can stay at home and create fun Deepavali crafts with your kids and send it to your Hindu friends.
So, there you have it. Everything that you need to know about Singapore’s Deepavali. It pays to understand what the holiday is all about before heading out to celebrate with your Indian friend. Their families will appreciate you more for doing so. And, when you do pay respect to this holiday, who knows? You might get an invite next year.
Image Source: iStock
Wishing all our Hindu readers a happy Deepavali! Feel free to share with us more traditional practices done during this happy occasion in the comments below.
Updates from Kim Brua
