Latest update September 13th, 2026 10:36 AM
The Diwali Pageant desecrates Sanatana Dharma
DEAR EDITOR,
It is with great horror that we, the undersigned women, have viewed the news of the resuscitation of The Diwali Pageant.
For years, we have protested against the hosting of an event that desecrated Sanatana Dharma and was sacrilegious to a sacred Hindu occasion.
Promoters eventually realised that what they were doing was offending the sentiments of Hindus.
That some people have decided to form a National Diwali Committee and have made the hosting of a Diwali Pageant their main agenda with regards to the auspicious occasion of Deepavali is very disturbing.
The mere fact that all that they can see relevant in the observation of a sacred Hindu occasion is a sari pageant makes one wonder about the qualification/ knowledge of these individuals with regards to Sanatana Dharma, and what is their true motive.
Geeta Singh stated that the pageant is about learning to wear a sari and applying make up. How does this apply to Deepavali? Is this how Geeta Singh practises Sanatana Dharma — wear a Sari and apply proper make up? How can any Hindu with a modicum of any knowledge of Sanatana Dharma associate an occasion that honours and reveres The Divine Mother with a beauty pageant?
Paramanand Sukhu stated that The Divali Pageant promotes Indian Culture. What does this have to do with Hinduism? Indian culture is not Hindu culture alone, because there are also Muslim, Christian, Parsi cultures that exist within Indian Culture.
Why not have a sari pageant, then, at some other time of the year. Why associate a sari/beauty pageant with the sacred festival of Deepavali?
Deepavali is a sacred occasion where we worship Maha Lakshmi — the Goddess of Light/Knowledge/Wealth/Prosperity. MAHA LAKSHMI IS NOT A GODDESS OF BEAUTY for there to be a beauty pageant in Her honour! In Sanatana Dharma, women are not revered for beauty — there are some very ferocious forms of The Divine Mother. So why are the National Diwali Committee, Paramanand Sukhu, Geeta Singh, et al associating a sari/beauty pageant with the occasion that honours Maha Lakshmi?
For the information of those who seem to be in a desperate need for knowledge of what Deepavali is, there are five days of observances for Deepavali.
1. Dhan Teras – worship of Maha Lakshmi as Dhanwantari, where She is worshipped as the Goddess of Wealth alone – here one diya is lit on this evening – Sunday 26th October
2. Narak Chaturdasi – the destruction of the demon Narkasura by Bhagwaan Sri Krsna — this is called Choti Deepavali as five diyas are lit on this night, Monday 27th October.
3. Deepavali — Maha Lakshmi Puja. We do puja to Maha Lakshmi in all Her aspects –Wealth, Knowledge, Light, Prosperity — then light as many diyas as possible, asking Her – Tamaso Ma Jyotri Gamaya – lead us, O Mother, from darkness to light. Tuesday 28th October.
4.Goberdhan Puja — the day when Bhagwaan Sri Krsna lifted the Goberdhan Mountain to save the people of Braja.
5.Bhai duja – the day when Hindu brothers and sisters renew their sacred relationship. This is a strictly brothers and sisters’ day that was first observed by Yama Deva when He visited His sister, Yamuna Devi.
Deepavali is a time when we remember God. How then can a group that calls itself The National Diwali Committee have an activity in the name of Diwali, that has no significance whatsoever with any of the sacred observances listed in our sacred scriptures? The Devi Mahatmyam states that: ALL WOMEN IN THE WORLD ARE ASPECTS OF THE DEVI, (Chapter 11 Verse 6.)
We have just concluded Nav Ratri – where we worship The Divine Mother for nine nights. In Sanatana Dharma, women are revered as is stated in the Devi Mahatmyam. We have several days/occasions where The Devi is worshipped and revered. How then can any proper Hindu have an event that sets up our women to be subjected to all sorts of degrading remarks and comments? We can hear the loud, degrading, mocking comments whenever there are beauty pageants.
How can people, in the name of Sanatana Dharma which serves to honour and revere women, host a beauty pageant in the name of a Sattvic (pure) Occasion?
IAC, a cultural organisation, does not allow alcoholic beverages at their melas. How then can any beer be allowed at a programme organised by The National Diwali Committee?
Nanda Sahadeo
Prettima Sitaram
Hema Budhu
Amrita Singh
Sedhee Ramnath
Seeta Samaroo
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