Diwali

Joy of light
let it burn.
Earthenware love.

Madame Chair, Fellow Toastmasters, and welcome guests, I would like to invite you to share with me this most wonderful time of year; Diwali. Known by many as the “Festival of Lights”, Diwali is the biggest celebration in the Hindu calendar and Diwali celebrations are already underway, as tonight is the third of 5 nights. Diwali actually translates as “row of lamps” from Sanskrit; the written language of Hinduism. In The Festival of Lights, Diwalis and firecrackers are strong symbols, representing the victory of light over darkness. The strongest spiritual meaning is the awareness of the “inner light”; the personal triumph of light over dark. This light refers to our spirit, or our soul. The image of the inner light, or candle seems to transcend religion, and culture; it seems to be universal. With the realization of this inner light comes compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things.

Tonight I would like to share with you tonight the stories Diwali celebrates, a summary of how each of the 5 days of Diwali are celebrated today, and how we as a family celebrate this Festival of Light.

The first story Diwali celebrates is the return of a Great King and his wife; Rama and Sita, from 14 years of banishment from their Kingdom. During this time, they fought battles, and Rama conquered a great demon. Upon their return, their entire Kingdom lit up rows of lamps, or Diwali, to celebrate. Firecrackers are also lit to signify Rama killing the demon, and to celebrate his victories in battle. The second story of Diwali is the day Krishna, one of the major Gods, defeated Indra, the deity of thunder and rain.

The third story of Diwali, also centred around the lighting of lamps, worships Maha Lakshmi, one of the main Goddesses in Hinduism. She is the Goddess of wealth, prosperity, light, wisdom, generosity, and courage. Hindus pray to her to thank her for the harvest for this year, and also pray to her for success in the upcoming year’s harvest.

Just as Hindus honour the inner light at Diwali, every year Diwali lights up the skies and the streets with 5 nights of celebration shared between family and friends strengthening the bonds between us. It is the illumination of the New Year’s New Moon, the darkest night in the Hindu year. During these celebrations many Pujas - or Hindu worship services – take place to Krishna, and Maha Lakshmi.

On the first day of Diwali, doorways are decorated with flowers, and Rangolis, which are patterns made with powder or flowers just inside the front of your home. Diyas, which are clay pots, are also used like oil lamps. They are lit every night during Diwali to signify the triumph of light over darkness. Firecrackers are also lit to celebrate Rama’s victory in battle. On the second day of Diwali, you purchase new clothing, and metals. The metal you purchase can be as simple as a new metal bowl that you will use to make offerings in the Puja to Maha Lakshmi. The third day of Diwali is known as Govardhan Puja, and it is the night where Krishna’s defeat of Indra is celebrated. The fourth day of Diwali, the Lakshmi Puja marks the most important day of Diwali, where Hindus worship Maha Lakshmi. This is the night of the New Moon, (for those of you who weren’t aware, the New Moon is tomorrow night) and it marks a new year. The fifth day of Diwali is known as Bhaiduj, and it is the day when brothers and sisters meet to express love and affection for each other. This is the day where people visit their families to exchange gifts, sweets, and food.

In my family, we celebrate Diwali when we are invited by my Grandmother to a Puja to worship Maha Lakshmi, at her home. As her eldest son’s family, we sometimes arrive early and help with the decorations, and preparing for the Puja downstairs. After all the guests have arrived, and found a place to sit downstairs, the Puja begins.

A Puja is a prayer service, usually headed by a priest, in someone’s home. The priest opens the Puja by asking Maha Lakshmi to enter the house. We pray to her and make offerings to her. Once she is in the house and has been worshipped, the priest closes the prayer service. Then we enjoy a feast of good food, and as we are leaving the house at the end of the evening, we are each given small take-home bags with fruit and sweets inside.

Tonight, I have shared with you one of the most significant celebrations in Hinduism; what it means to Hindus, and how this Festival of Lights, or at least the element of the inner light, can be shared by everyone. Hindus celebrate Diwali by giving gifts, sweets, and spending time with their families. They celebrate the return of the Great King Rama and his wife, Sita, from their 14 years of banishment. They also celebrate many victories in battle of light over darkness, and they celebrate Maha Lakshmi, and thank her for the good harvest. All this they celebrate by lighting Diwalis, or “rows of diyas”, and firecrackers.

I would like to close in the same way I opened; with a verse from my Grandfather:

You always must offer
your heart with joy,
Lakshmi Mata guides your dreams as you pray.
I shall keep watch over you,
marking time,
Faithfully you will become part of me.