Deepawali 2009

A happy report by Sheetla Patle.

Deeepawali is a Hindu festival of lights that is celebrated in months of October or November based on the Lunar calendar. At Jacobs, the Indian and Nepali communities come together to make this event possible. For Indians it is Diwali and for Nepalese it is Tihar. Whatever the name might be, the essence of the festivals remains much the same, and that is to bring out happiness and hope in everyone’s heart despite life’s adversities.

Diwali marks the home-coming of lord Rama. After Rama won over a demonised King Rawana, he came back to his Kingdom ‘Ayodhya’, where his victory was celebrated with immense enthusiasm. Earthen lamps were lit all around the city, crackers were burnt and a ray of new hope started sweeping through the previously dark and gloomy alleys and catwalks.

Tihar, which is mainly celebrated in Nepal, has a different version of story. Tihar is a celebration of reunion, especially between brother and sister. It is believed in Nepal that you cannot die during Tihar, because the God of death ‘Yamraj’ goes to meet his sister to celebrate this festival, and hence he is off duty.

Among different denominations of Hinduism, different versions of these stories are present. Not only the denominations, but these stories take various forms depending on regions as well. While we have so many differences in beliefs, most important things remain the same all over. We all celebrate five days together, and we celebrate them to thank God for whatever he has given us, and to ask his forgiveness for our past mistakes. We all hope that the year ahead will be good, and we promise that we will try our best at our endeavours.

During those five days, we also pray for animals, and give them a sacred place in our hearts. cows, buffaloes, dogs, all have their good qualities, and we can always include those qualities into our human selves. We can take loyalty from dogs, and nurturing abilities from cows. Belief in Omnipresent God also makes these animals worthy of prayers and respect, as God is present in them too.

Getting together with your family is a common practice. People go back to their hometowns, and get together with their loved ones. Lots of sweets are made at home, and are distributed in the neighbourhood. Every night, the whole house is decorated with burning candles and pampering beautiful lights. Courtyards are decorated with colourful designs of sand called Rangoli. Women put Henna on their hands and whole family burns lots of crackers together wearing their newly bought clothes.

Celebrating Deepawali at Jacobs gives me a holy feeling of being home away from of home. Although I do not get to see my own family, Jacobs always loves me with familiar heartfelt emotions. This year was no different. We had decorations from back home, performances of traditional songs, tasty, spicy Indian/Nepali food with sweetened mango cream and lassi. All of these made the Deepawali event ever so desirable. Every effort put into making this event possible, felt just worth it. When I came back to my room after watching those very beautiful fireworks and dancing for about two hours, I very happily told my mama, “Mom, thanks a lot for wishes, yes, I am going to keep my midnight oil burning and yes I would also be very healthy. Mummy, this feels so good, I am very happy that I got to celebrate Deepawali here while you are doing the same at home. Although we are not together but your daughter can feel all the love you have for her and I thank god for everything he has given me.”