“Diwali” or “Dipawali” means lighting “Diya” or earthen lamps.
Diwali festival is set on the date by the Hindu calendar so it varies in the Western calendar. It usually falls in October or November. Diwali is a New Year festival in the Vikrama calendar, depending on the cycle of the Moon in the month of Kartika. This festival is celebrated on “Amasvasya” considered to be the darkest day of the month. This day is chosen to brighten up with earten lamps in billions of homes.
Diwali, is a 5 Day Festival celebrated by millions of people across the world every Autumn. The theme of Diwali is marked with firework displays and family feasts. The festival is observed by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, with its main theme the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
Diwali also is the festival of love, light, and happiness, furthermore, typically this time is meant to get along with friends and loved ones.
In 2020, Diwali commences with Dhanteras on November 12. It concludes on November 16. The main celebrations happen on the third day (this year, on November 14). Deepavali is usually celebrated a day early in South India, but sometimes occurs on the same day, when the lunar days overlap.
Legend says … “On this day the protagonist of the iconic epic “Ramayana” Lord Ram had returned from his 14 years of exile into the forest with his wife “Sita” and brother ’Laxman’ after defeating the demon king “Ravana”.The day he arrived, Ayodhya was lit up with “Diyas” or handmade earthen lamps with cotton wicks and oil. This tradition has been followed till now. This legend symbolises the victory of good over evil. According to the Hindu tradition, this day Goddess laxmi enters the homes of every Indian to bless them with wealth, prosperity and happiness. In another tradition, God Ganesha is also worshipped together with Laxmi and he is said to bless everyone with good fortune. All in all, its a festival to spread happiness, harmony, peace all around as well as within us. A day not only to clean the houses from every nook and corner, and wear new clothes and make delicious food, but to also clean up our hearts and minds of all negativity and spread goodwill around.”
In India thousands of candle and clay lamp lights illuminate houses, shops, streets and markets. It’s that magical time of the year when the doors are lined with diyas and also with colorful patterns, rangoli for decoration and to spread positivity within the colors and to welcome Laxmi – the Goddess of wealth, prosperity, and luck.
This year, things will be a little different for all due to these challenging times of COVID-19 Pandemic and the organizers indeed will be aware in properly wearing the mask and keeping distance.
© Aggie Reiter
Rolling in Budapest 
Posted by Chris on 15/11/2020 at 09:08
For my Indian mates this is a huge festival, some have even gone home to India to share the time with family before returning downunder for more cricket…..