echo Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is a festival of lights celebrated by millions of people around the world with great joy and zeal. Deepavali, which is rooted in Hindu traditions, has a luminous influence that extends beyond religious boundaries, making it a cherished and widely celebrated cultural celebration. The term “Deepavali” is derived from the Sanskrit words “deepa,” which means “lamp or light,” and “avali,” which means “row.” They represent the rows of lamps that people light to dispel darkness and bring in a sense of hope and positivity. Deepavali is a time for family reunions, festive gatherings, and the exchange of gifts and sweets, in addition to its religious origins. Colourful decorations adorn homes, and the air is filled with the aroma of delectable sweets and savouries. The festival provides an opportunity for people to express gratitude, seek blessings, and strengthen bonds with loved ones.
Here are 3 fun facts about Deepavali:
1. Early Mornings
On the festival morning, the entire family will rise early, embracing the benefits of early awakening for health, moral conduct, work efficiency, and spiritual progress. Prior to sunrise, a significant ritual involving a sesame oil bath will take place. Among Hindus, this ceremony is conducted to cleanse both the body and spirit, symbolizing a form of self-purification. Each family member will have sesame oil applied to their heads’ during this process. Following the bath, there is a custom of donning new attire and jewellery on Deepavali morning, symbolizing the removal of negativity from the body. The next destination is the temple, where prayers are conducted in adherence to ceremonial traditions.
2. Rangoli Festival
Kolam, which translates to beauty, is an age-old traditional folk art with a rich history dating back thousands of years. Rangoli, as a form of Kolam, encompasses a diverse array of motifs and designs, including floral patterns, illuminated lamps, and more. Serving as a floor decoration made from vibrant rice, it is placed in front of homes as a symbol of safety and elegance, wishing prosperity for every household. The skill of creating Kolam is typically handed down through generations, and despite its initial complexity, it exudes beauty, uniqueness, and charm. The appeal of Kolam extends across all races and religions, making it a form of art appreciated by people from diverse backgrounds.
3. Festival of Lights
It’s unusual to witness Deepavali without illumination since the festival is aptly named the Festival of Lights. The incorporation of lights during the celebration holds significance, as Deepavali (or Diwali) commemorates the victory of good over evil and the triumph of light over darkness. During the day, homes are meticulously cleaned and adorned, while at night, they are aglow with the radiance of earthen oil lamps, candles, or ornamental light bulbs.
Of course, there’s no better way to learn about Deepavali than by hearing it straight from the mouths of those who celebrated the festival! So, we at Echo have taken the liberty to talk to several of our Hindu friends to gain more insights into the festival:
The Firecracker Fanatic:
What did you do this past Deepavali?
This Deepavali, I started off by playing fireworks. I woke up early in the morning, got ready, and went to the temple. As the temple is just right in front of my house, I walked there with my cousins. We then returned home and got together at the dining table to have our lunch. After eating, we continued our day by playing cards and more fireworks. It is a tradition that every Deepavali, my aunts and uncles have to give their nieces and nephews ang pow. In the evening, we put on our new clothes and gathered on the porch to take some pictures before ending the night by watching a new Tamil movie.
What food did you enjoy, and how was the environment eating with your family?
The food that I really enjoyed was the Indian traditional food, which is the thosai and chicken curry. Almost every year, we eat that for breakfast. The best part about Deepavali is eating with your family. As we eat, we tend to gossip about our neighbours and friends as well as to talk out our problems. The table was chaotic yet we were all happy, as we were able to spend more time with one another.
What is your favourite part of Deepavali?
My favourite part of Deepavali is when I play with the firecrackers. This year, I was able to play with the much scarier ones. It was fun as we played non-stop. However, the cleaning up after the games was the worst part.
Do you have any traditional rituals that your family carries out during Deepavali?
One of the traditional rituals that my family carries out every Deepavali is that everyone in the house has to put oil on their hair in the morning before showering. Other than that, it is a tradition for us to always celebrate our Deepavali at my grandma’s house.
Are there any specific clothing or attire associated with Deepavali celebrations?
Usually on Deepavali, the women will wear a saree with a bindi, whereas the younger girls will wear a kurti. The boys can either wear the veshti or kurta. It is a must, that during Deepavali, everyone should wear traditional clothes.
Are there any specific preparations or activities that you and your family engage in leading up to Deepavali?
A few days before Deepavali, we usually clean the house and bake traditional Indian biscuits. Other than that, we will also make sure that we buy the fireworks. On Deepavali, the women will offer food and do puja for the god in the morning. They also draw a huge rangoli on the porch.
The Biryani Addict:
What did you do this past Deepavali?
I had a really fun Deepavali. I woke up a bit late this year because my family overslept. We went to the temple in the morning. My dad’s sisters came to our house to have lunch with us and then we went out to my other relatives’ house. Unfortunately, we got into a small accident on the road. In the evening, I went to my grandmother’s house. Every Deepavali, my cousins, and other relatives gather at my grandmother’s house. We played some smokeless firecrackers and had a massive dinner. We then ended the day with some games and movies.
What food did you enjoy, and how was the environment eating with your family?
My favourite food is biryani and every Deepavali, I will request my mum to make biryani. So this Deepavali, I got to eat chicken biryani with mutton gravy and more side dishes. My family usually eat together. The environment will usually be noisy and bustling because we will be telling stories, laughing, and just enjoying ourselves.
What is your favourite part of Deepavali?
My favourite part of Deepavali this year was the rangoli. I have always wanted to do the rangoli by myself, but I usually end up fighting with my siblings as they want to do it. But this year, I got to do it by myself and I was actually proud of my final product. It was good for a beginner, I would say.
Do you have any traditional rituals that your family carries out during Deepavali?
My family is big on traditions. Usually, we just make it a habit to go to the temple every Deepavali in the morning. We also make it a tradition to gather at my grandmother’s house just to get together with my relatives.
Are there any specific clothing or attire associated with Deepavali celebrations?
Yes, clothing plays a significant role in Deepavali celebrations, and people often choose to wear traditional and festive attire. Many women choose to wear a saree or lehenga, which are traditional Indian garments consisting of a long piece of fabric draped around the body. The choice of colours and fabrics can vary, but vibrant and bright colours are popular during Deepavali. Another popular choice for women is the salwar kameez, which consists of loose-fitting trousers paired with a long tunic and a matching scarf or dupatta.
Men often opt for traditional Indian attire such as a kurta paired with loose-fitting trousers. Some men, especially in South India, may choose to wear a dhoti.
Are there any specific preparations or activities that you and your family engage in leading up to Deepavali?
My mum usually bakes cookies and traditional snacks. We also clean the house a week before Deepavali. Other than that, we buy new clothes as a symbol of renewal. We also buy some clay lamps to light up on Deepavali.
The Ang Pow Hunter:
What did you do this past Deepavali?
On the day of the festival, I organized a small gathering at home, inviting friends and neighbours to join in the celebration. It was more of an open house where everyone who was anyone was invited.
What food did you enjoy, and how was the environment eating with your family?
During Deepavali, families often indulge in a variety of delicious and festive foods. Traditional sweets like gulab jamun, jalebi, and ladoo are commonly enjoyed. Savoury snacks like samosas and murukku add a savoury element to the celebration. My personal favourite would be the murukku, as it just gives me the Deepavali vibes whenever I eat it. As the family gathers around the table, there’s a sense of warmth and joy in the air. There is always a cozy and intimate atmosphere present. Laughter and conversation flow freely as everyone shares stories and expresses gratitude for the moments of togetherness.
What is your favourite part of Deepavali?
Getting money from relatives is the best part of any celebration and Deepavali is no exception to that. I usually just go to my relatives’ house to get the ang pow. Even though I enjoy spending time with my relatives, I always make sure to receive money from them by giving them some non-verbal cues.
Do you have any traditional rituals that your family carries out during Deepavali?
Lighting the diyas is the most important tradition that my family adheres to. The idea is to symbolically dispel darkness and ignorance with the light of knowledge and righteousness.
Are there any specific clothing or attire associated with Deepavali celebrations?
Saree and lehenga are common among women while kurta or veshti are common among men. Girls can also wear kurti if they prefer a more simple option.
Are there any specific preparations or activities that you and your family engage in leading up to Deepavali?
My family begins by thoroughly cleaning our home. It symbolizes the removal of negativity and the welcoming of prosperity. The entire house, including corners and nooks, is cleaned to create a fresh and vibrant environment. After cleaning, we make our house look vibrant with colorful decorations. Rangoli, made from colored powders, flowers, or rice, is created at the entrance to welcome guests. My family also uses decorative lights, candles, and diyas to add a festive touch. It is also customary for my family to shop for new clothes, jewellery, and accessories in the weeks leading up to Deepavali.
Another Biryani Enthusiast:
What did you do this past Deepavali?
I usually celebrate Deepavali in my hometown, but we had to switch things up this year due to my parents’ work schedule. Nonetheless, it was still amazing! As usual, I woke up really early in the morning for prayers at home before heading to the temple for round two. Then, I returned home to find two of my favourite things – a traditional Indian breakfast and my relatives. At night, my family hosted an intimate gathering with some of our closest friends and family. The perfect day ended with a spectacular fireworks display, accompanied by a generous potluck feast.
What is your favourite part of Deepavali?
I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t the extra one-day break from classes, but getting to see my cousins is a very close second. I don’t get to see them much anymore, so hanging out with them and reminiscing on the good times during the festive season was really special to me.
Do you have any traditional rituals that your family carries out during Deepavali?
My family doesn’t perform any unique rituals, but we do have a tradition; we always have Deepavali breakfast at my grandmother’s house no matter what. She always wakes up really early to prep the food and it’s always fun to watch her flitting from the stove to the table to serve us hot thosais and appams. Then, we usually watch all the Deepavali shows and movies playing on TV, but most of the time we’re too busy listening to my grandma’s stories about celebrating Deepavali back in the day to pay attention.
What food did you enjoy, and how was the environment eating with your family?
Hands down, the biryani. Of course, it’s pretty easy to get biryani on regular days too, but something about eating it on Deepavali hits different. We usually cook a LOT of biryani on the eve of Deepavali for our ancestral prayers, so the biryani we eat on the day itself is usually the leftovers. And, man do the leftovers really hit the spot when paired with some chicken curry and other side dishes. Getting to share this incredible food with my family just elevates the whole experience; gossiping about silly things with my cousins, hearing my brother complain about accidentally biting the cardamom in the biryani for the millionth time, and seeing the adults feed the young ones mouthfuls of biryani. It takes us a good 40 minutes to get up from the table after eating because that’s just how engrossed in conversation we are. And, this is really rare as we’re usually eating separately in our rooms or have our noses buried in our phones when it’s not Deepavali.
The Henna-holic:
What did you do this past Deepavali?
As far as I can remember, Deepavali has always been the same for me. The day before is usually spent with my father’s side of the family while Deepavali itself is spent with my mom’s side. The days leading up to Deepavali are usually hectic as everyone’s rushing to get things prepped. But, it’s all worth it in the end as we get to enjoy our Deepavali day stress-free. For dinner, I popped by my friend’s house, where I met some of the schoolmates I rarely get to see anymore after graduating from high school. And, it’s always great to catch up with some old friends.
What is your favourite part of Deepavali?
Obviously, it’s the food! On the eve of Deepavali, I usually play cards with my relatives on my father’s side while feasting on a variety of staple Indian snacks and desserts. Another thing I look forward to is putting on henna, especially since my friend has done it for me these past few years and it’s always a blast to talk her ear off while she draws these intricate designs on my hands. Of course, another plus point is that I get to flaunt my mehendi too!
Do you have any traditional rituals that your family carries out during Deepavali?
I don’t think this one is unique to my family, but we usually gather on the eve of Deepavali to carry out prayers for my ancestors, where we thank them and ask for their blessings. Meanwhile, on the day itself, it’s always a must to meet my mother’s side of the family at the temple, before heading to my grandmother’s house to commence the festivities.
What food did you enjoy, and how was the environment eating with your family?
Food always tastes better when it’s cooked at home, especially when there are people to share it with. Of course, thosai and chicken curry are a must, sometimes accompanied by sambar and chutney. Then, there’s idiyappam, idly, and a steaming cup of coffee – Indian style, obviously.
The Buzzkill:
What did you do this past Deepavali?
I don’t want to be a buzzkill, but my Deepavali this year wasn’t one for the books. My family’s pretty small, so we usually like to keep things low-key for our Deepavali. But, Deepavali was just wedged between our packed schedules, and getting things ready for the big day just felt like a huge chore this time. On Deepavali eve, I visited some of my relatives, but even the fireworks and food couldn’t make up for the awkwardness of making small talk with family members you rarely see. We usually go to my grandparents’ house for lunch, but as their age has finally caught up to them, we brought them to our home and settled for some store-bought food instead. Of course, it wasn’t all bad as I got to devour some really delicious food and watch some crappy (but extremely entertaining) Tamil movies with my close relatives.
What is your favourite part of Deepavali?
I’ll be honest, some parts of Deepavali have always felt a little performative for me, such as the forced conversations with relatives I only see once a year or sweating in my unnecessarily elaborate salwar kameez. So, it’s the little things that always make me look forward to this holiday. I’ve always loved hearing my grandparents talk about how they used to celebrate Deepavali back in the day (even though they’ve said it so many times, it’s practically burned in the back of my mind), and my parents joking about all the silly things we used to get up to during Deepavali when they were younger. Of course, the Deepavali ang pows from my family don’t hurt either (especially in this economy).
Do you have any traditional rituals that your family carries out during Deepavali?
My family isn’t super religious but we do perform the customary prayers for our ancestors on the day before Deepavali, where we offer them their favourite Deepavali treats (or whatever we have lying around the house) and ask them for their blessings. On the day of Deepavali, my parents usually drag me downstairs at the crack of dawn to perform our puja to the Hindu gods (which always involves breaking a coconut open for some reason). Since Deepavali is the festival of lights, it’s tradition to light deepams to chase the darkness away. However, since it’s a little difficult to get our hands on them, we usually light dozens of IKEA unscented tealights and line them at the front of our home.
What food did you enjoy, and how was the environment eating with your family?
For me, the highlight of Deepavali is always the food. I’m always nibbling on treats like murukku, achu murukku, suji biscuits, and pineapple tarts for the whole week leading up to Deepavali. On the day itself, I usually rush straight to bed after the prayers as not even Deepavali could make me lose my beauty sleep, so I only eat my breakfast of thosai and idly later in the day. Meanwhile, the star of our lunch spread is always a mutton curry, which is irresistible when paired with some home-cooked ghee rice and crunchy appalam. Lunch is always filled with laughter as my relatives spill the tea on all the family drama and talk about the things they’ve been getting up to recently. Since we order and cook way too much food, we usually end up eating the leftovers for dinner too.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s evident that Deepavali is more than just the festival of lights. Through the lens of our Hindu friends, we can see that Deepavali is a vibrant tapestry woven with diverse experiences and traditions. As we bid farewell to this year’s Deepavali, let’s appreciate the cultural richness and familial warmth that colour this festival and let the light carry us through the darkest of our days.
Written By: Tisyha and Priyanka
Edited By: Tarini
