East Indians also brought
the Hindu festival of Divali,
which we affectionately call
the Festival of Lights, to
our shores before the turn
of the 20th Century. This is
the largest Hindu festival
in our islands, taking place
in the month of Karthik –
October-November on the
Hindu calendar. This
national holiday is
celebrated on what is said
to be the darkest night of
the year.
Divali pays homage to the
Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess
of Light, Wealth and
Prosperity. Followers
believe that on this day,
Mother Lakshmi emerged from
the Ocean of Milk called the
Ksheer Sagar to endow
mankind with wealth and
prosperity. In recognition
of her blessings, Poojas or
prayers are performed in her
honour on this special day.
The other popular Divali
story is the return of Lord
Rama from exile in the
forest. Since Divali is
celebrated on the darkest
night of the year,
inhabitants of the holy city
of Ayodya filled the city
with lit Deyas so that Lord
Rama could find his way
home. Deyas (small clay pots
with cotton wicks filled
with Ghee or clarified
butter) are still lit to
this day in celebration of
his homecoming.
Hindus always celebrate
Divali day on a grand scale
and in grand style – first
by conducting a Lakshmi
Pooja. Celebrants often
invite family and friends to
share a sumptuous vegetarian
meal and at dusk, everyone
(even the children!) joins
in lighting and placing the
Deyas around the home and
yard. The hundreds of
gaily-flickering lights
placed in different
positions and patterns are
indeed a sight to behold!
You can view public Divali
celebrations in the weeks
just before the actual day,
since many Hindu Temples and
community groups throughout
our island host their own
celebrations. This is a
festival that will touch
your heart since, at its
deepest level, it is really
the story of good triumphing
over evil, of light
conquering the darkness.
