28World News The Auckland Times | Issue 185| October 15, 2019

Diwali: What is the festival of lights – and how is it celebrated around the
world?
king Ravanna in the 15th
century BC.
How is Diwali celebrated?
The festival is marked
by large firework displays,
to remember the celebrations
which, according to the
legend, took place upon
Rama’s return as locals set
off their own version of
fireworks. Those celebrating
the festival also light
the time of the festival.
What is eaten during
Diwali?
The food most closely
associated with the festival
is Indian sweets, which
come in a range of colours
and flavours. The celebration
however features various
rich savoury and sweet
dishes, and while eating

O
ne of the most
significant
festivals in Indian
culture, Diwali,
the festival of lights, sees
millions attend firework
displays, prayers and
celebratory events across the
world every autumn.
The festival is celebrated by
Hindus, Sikhs and Jains for a
variety of reasons, although
the main theme which runs
throughout is the triumph of
light over darkness and good
over evil.
To celebrate, houses are
decorated with candles and
colourful lights and huge
firework displays are held
while families feast and
share gifts.
What is Diwali?
Diwali is the five-day
festival of lights, celebrated
by millions of Hindus,
Sikhs and Jains across the
world. The festival, which
coincides with the Hindu
New Year, celebrates
new beginnings and the
triumph of good over evil
and light over darkness.
The actual day of Diwali
is traditionally celebrated
on the festival’s third day,
which this year falls on
Wednesday 7 November.
The festival usually falls
between the middle of
October and the middle of
November, although this is
decided upon by the Hindu
lunar calendar. While each
faith has its own reason to
celebrate the festival, one
of the most popular stories
told is the legend of Lord
Rama and his wife Sita
returning to their kingdom
in northern India from exile
after defeating the demon
out is popular, families
traditional earthen diyas
will mostly prepare food
(candles) and decorate
at home for when guests
their houses with colourful
arrive to exchange gifts and
rangoli artworks – patterns
watch fireworks. Unlike
created on the floor using
the traditional roast turkey
coloured rice or powder.
at Christmas, each family
During Diwali, families
celebrating Diwali will
and friends share sweets
more than likely have its
and gifts and there is also
a strong belief in giving own favourite meal for the
food and goods to those in festival, and the food will
need. It is also traditional most often play a central
for homes to be cleaned and theme to the celebrations.
new clothes to be worn at

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