Grahamstown's Hindus will join those from the rest of South Africa and around the world to celebrate Diwali on Wednesday. Jasu Ranchod explains the festival's significance.
Grahamstown's Hindus will join those from the rest of South Africa and around the world to celebrate Diwali on Wednesday. Jasu Ranchod explains the festival's significance.
The principal characteristic of Diwali is the lighting of the little clay lamps. Homes are also lit up with colourful lights and fragrant candles. A variety of sweetmeats and traditional meals are prepared. The entrances of homes are decorated with brightly coloured designs.
Diwali is not just the lighting of the lamps, but the return of Lord Rama to Ayodha. Thousands of clay lamps welcomed Lord Rama when he returned to Ayodha after being exiled for 14 years. So lighting the clay lamps has much significance.
Besides happiness and joy, Diwali also imparts a spiritual message. The light from the lamps signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and goodness over evil. It is during this time that all Hindus light the lamp of knowledge and fulfil the prayer, “Tamso ma jyoti gamaya,” meaning "lead us from darkness to light".
Traditionally Indian sweetmeats were very the gifts most commonly exchanged, but the festival has become a time for serious shopping, leading to anxiety that commercialism is eroding the spiritual side of the festival.
The clay lamp is the most significant symbol of Diwali, which is partially overpowered by coloured electric lights and decorated plates with lamps, as opposed to the home-made decorations.
Be as it may, Diwali will always be symbolised by the flickering of clay lamps.
