Five days of gaiety

Let us ring in the festivities with enthusiasm and fervour. There’s sweets and fireworks, friends and family to celebrate.

If there’s one morning you don’t mind waking up before sunrise, it has to be Deepavali. There’s a sense of unspoken joy that fills you. Everything seems right…the oil dumped on your head and face as your grandmother massages away. A spoon of leygiyam (a concoction of spices and herbs that is supposed to safeguard your tummy from the onslaught of treats that are lined up for) and off you go for your ennai thecha kuli with shikakai that you have been trying to lose.

The next part is highly enjoyable. New clothes, yummy sweet oozing with ghee and sugar and of course the fire-crackers.

The celebrations have begun.

Shimmering diyas, orange flowers, colourful rangolis…every house will be at its decorated best come Deepavali. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that people light outside their homes. One of the most popular festivals in the Hindu calendar, it commemorates Lord Rama’s return to his kingdom, Ayodhya after his 14-year exile.

The Festival of Lights begins on the darkest night (first night of the new moon) in the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar and goes on for four days.

Five days

The first day is Dhanteras. We clean our houses and prepare to welcome Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. So, it is a good day to spend money and also help those in need.

Narkachaturdashi or Choti Deepavali is the second day. In parts of south India, it is the main day of the festival. The moonless night is lit up with diyas.

On the evening of the third day (Badi Deepavali) there are firecrackers and people visit each other. Everyone wears new clothes and distributes sweets.

Balipadyami is the fourth day and the first day of the new year in the Hindu calendar. A day of feasting with special dishes, more sweets and snacks and every conceivable treat.

Bhai Bij is the last day and it celebrates sibling love.

Are you ready with your crackers, sweets, clothes? Have the best Deepavali ever!

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