naRnia: Deepavali - the celebration of lights

For our assignment, instead of doing the Ramadan, we will be doing an advertisement based on racial unity. For that, our concept will be on the major celebrations in Malaysia. We started by doing research on our subject

So here is Deepavali…..

Deepavali (also known as Diwali) is a five days festival occurs on the fifteenth day of Kartika. It usually takes place eighteen days after Dusshera, which is around October and November and it is to honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Diwali signifies the renewal of life, and it is common to wear new clothes on the festival day.

The word Deepavali means “ Rows of light” and for that, small lamp oils and candles (diyas) are lit to help Lakshmi find her way to people’s home. Also, houses are cleaned, houses decorated with fancy lights, Rangoli (usually in the pattern of lotus flower) are drawn on the floor and there will also be displays of fireworks. This festival is always accompanied by the exchange of sweets and gifts.

Rangoli decorated on the floor

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAJtT60CYUM/Ti8WmQtb9fI/AAAAAAAAAMk/d_XcPpXq7qQ/s1600/Rangoli2.jpg

According to the Indian culture, wealth is not viewed as a corruptive power but a reward to those who have done a good deed in the past live.

In North India, Diwali celebrates the homecoming of Rama to Ayodhya after the defeat of Ravana and his coronation as king. On the other hand, in Gujarat, the festival honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and in Bengal, it is associated with the goddess Kali.

On the second day of the festival, the goddess of strength, Kali is worshipped. This day is more focus to abolishing laziness and evil. The third, lights and lamps are lit brightly in every home. The lamp symbolizes knowledge and encourages reflection upon the purpose of each day of the festival. Old business accounts are settled and new books are open. This encourages the people to remove their anger, hate and jealousy from their lives. Lastly on the fifth day, an ancient Indian king, Bali, was recalled. He destroyed the centuries old philosophies of the society. However, he is remembered as a generous person and thus, this day focuses on seeing the good of others, including the enemies.