DIWALI: INDIAN NEW YEAR
From 5 Star Luxury Hotel Asia Gardens we would like to tell you about another important festival in India, one of the most significant ones in the country: the Diwali or Festival of Lights. Depending on the area where it is celebrated it can have different names: Divali, Deepavali or Deepawali and it is also the Indian New Year.
The Diwali is a religious festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jainists all around the country. Diwali means “row of lamps”, the locals place “diyas” (clay lamps) on their windows and leave them lit all night. According to this tradition, men are set free from darkness and moved towards the truth, also known as “dharma”.
As opposed to western cultures, in India they do not celebrate the 31st of December. The New Year is celebrated on 18th October and 26th November, depending on the lunar calendar, it varies every year.
Like almost all other festivals in India, this one also pays tribute to several gods, more specifically goddess Lakshmi and god Ganesha. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped because she brings prosperity and wealth. Hindus must have an altar in a special place in their homes with a picture of Lakshmi where flowers, coins and incense are placed as an offering.
Arrangements for this festival start days before the festival commences. Locals spring clean their homes as a symbol of renewal and also for a better start of the New Year. They paint and decorate their houses, buy silver coins and start using a new ledger. In doing so, they leave all negative things behind and set off to achieve their new resolutions.
As well as wearing new clothes, exchanging gifts and eating sweets, there is also a traditional folk dance called “dandiya”: People wear colourful outfits, skirts and turbans with plenty of ornaments. The choreography of the dance is complicated and consists of energetic twirls with feet and arms up in the air using sticks and instruments for a percussion beat.
As you can see, the Asian continent has always some hidden treasures that we are delighted to bring to you every week. At the Asia Gardens we enjoy showing you new things. We await you with open arms.
