Lights at Diwali and other celebrations

Nov 14, 2020 Letters

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Dear Editor,

As we celebrate this great Hindu festival of light, it should be noted that the festival of lights is not unique to Hindus of Diwali. Light shows attract people the world over. All religious and non-religious people and many events attach great importance to light. Festivals are celebrated with fireworks and laser shows; American independence comes to mind as are the beginning and end of Olympics and victories of sports competitions or elections. Also all major religions have festival of lights: Jews celebrate Chanukah and Christians observe Christmas with lights that decorate their homes and businesses. In Christianity, the Bible says that “in the beginning, there was darkness and then God created light” to lead human towards the right path in life.
Also the greatness of light are integral parts of liturgical worship: candles are lit in every church, synagogue, Buddhist and Jain temples.
Muslims light agarbatti in their mosques and at homes and during Koran Sharief. Hindus perform Havan and aarti to purify the atmosphere and light diyas for Diwali.
Diwali celebration began in India thousands of years ago to welcome the Lord (with a central meaning of a life of compassion in peace with others) in the inner minds of people. The Guyanese Hindu diaspora takes great time to prepare for the festival to welcome the Lord in their home and inner minds.
As historians tell us, the Diwali festival dates back to that period when perhaps history was not even written. And in its progress through centuries, it lighted path of many to see and do good. That message of Diwali is handed down by tradition from the ancient practices in ancestral India, the homeland of Indo-Guyanese. There is so much joy in observing the festival whether in Guyana or in the Guyanese and Indian diasporas.
The community spirit and personal family experiences make life and living very meaningful. The nation looks forward to this special occasion when almost everyone takes in the brilliant displays of light associated with the festival.
Although other faiths give some meaning and importance to light, Diwali has several messages, all unique with the primary theme being cleansing of the mind and soul — replace greed, anger, lust and other vices with joy, warmth, and compassion. And we must remember that the light allows us the opportunity to read and study during the dark hours.
The Diwali festival also marks the return of Bhagwan Shri Ram to Ayodha after 14 years of exile, (Banwas) in the forest, to his rightful throne. Injustice or stealing political power would not succeed for long. Ram was sent into exile to please the wishes of his father who so ordered his son at the demand of Ram’s stepmother.
When Ravan kidnapped Ram’s wife, Sita, Ram led a successful battle to defeat Ravan, the evil in man. After defeating Ravan, Lord Rama was welcomed to Ayodha with a brilliant display of earthen lamp lights.
There is another story behind the celebration of Diwali. The advent of the autumn crops makes the farmer’s joys boundless. As a demonstration of thanksgiving, farmers offer sacrifices on the last day of the dark fortnight of Kartik. The farmers distribute grains to villagers, friends and priests and during their celebration light up the whole village with lamps. Thanksgiving is also celebrated in the U.S later this month and there is a lot of joy and candlelit dinners.
Diwali involves weeks of sacrifice and physical cleansing. Prior to the festival, homes are scrubbed clean and well decorated. Also, linen and used clothing are washed; shopping for new items also occur around this time. During the entire period, the family engages in fasts avoiding “renk” (meat, eggs, and fish); they become absolute vegetarians.
Hindus want to present a beautiful appearance favourable for Goddess Lakshmi’s stay; also, cleaning the home during change in season also helps to promote better health for the family. The festival is a sacrifice of time and material possession, which is a reflection of one’s commitment to God. According to Hindu beliefs, Mother Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, visit every home and makes her dwelling in those homes, which she finds most beautiful, neat, clean, tidy. So people worship Mother Lakshmi with great devotion, preparing sweets to distribute to neighbours and non-Hindus, performing oblations, and making donations to less fortunate ones.
Diwali is a time when people contemplate the future, make new resolutions and plan new undertakings. During the season, people should forgive those who have done them wrong and mend fences with enemies, to be at peace with oneself and the world, a brightening of their hearts.

Happy Diwali!
Vishnu Bisram

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