The festival of lights is one of the most important festivals in India.

It’s been celebrated since thousands of years. It’s start dates back to mythological times, to the return of King Sri Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana in Lanka.

Over the years it has evolved and become a festival of joy, sweets, celebrations and gifts!

Here are some important dates and their significance.

Every household will decorate their house with flowers, oil-lamps and rangoli-drawings on floor using colors. People dress in new clothes, prepare many sweets and visit family and friends exchanging sweets, gifts and well wishes.

• October 29- Vasubaras- Offering prayers to cows. Cows are considered as mother in India as they give milk to nourish us- as like mums do for babies.

• October 30- Dhanteras- Praying the God of Medicine Sri Dhanvantari. Also traders worship the ‘money’ this day.

• October 31- Main Diwali day- Narak Trayodashi and Laxmi Poojan- Both are on same day this year. One celebrates the killing of demon Narakasur by God Sri Krishna. Laxmi Poojan is worshipping the Goddess of Wealth- Sri Laxmi.

• November 2- Padva- One of 3.5 auspicious days in Hindu calendar- useful to start any new activity. Traders open their new year’s book on this day. Also this day marks as celebration of marital relationship when husband and wife (or partners) greet each other with gifts.

• November 3: Bhau Beej- The day of celebration of loving bond between siblings- traditionally between brothers and sisters where elder sisters would offer special blessings to brothers and brothers would give gifts to all sisters.

  I still remember celebrating all these traditions till I moved to Australia. Now celebrations are limited to main Diwali day only.

What Diwali looked like when I was a kid

Celebrations all these days, as above!
My mum used to be busy with preparing sweets, savory snacks for us to eat and give others.

People would visit us on these days and we would visit friends and families too, eating. distributing and sharing home-made snacks.
Giving and accepting gifts from family members and extended family was always an exciting part for kids and adults too.

On main day of Diwali, we all used to get up at 3 am and mum would bathe us with Abhyanga Massage. Yes, it is a Diwali tradition.
Then there was competition to light the first fire cracker in the street.

In the evening, the streets were full of fire crackers of all sorts. (Now in hindsight so much pollution!)

Good old days!

How we celebrate the Diwali now?

Now a days, there are no fire crackers, but visiting family and friends and sharing sweets is still continue here down under.

House is decorated with flowers and incense sticks are burnt. The oil lamps are lit along the main door and prayer room.

Not much new clothes or gifts but more spiritual.

Praying on the main day and sending good wishes to friends and family is the norm for me now.

Longer meditation with prayers for world peace and harmony are performed in the evening.

What can you do on Diwali?

I would do the same additionally this year.

Just decide to be happy for the whole day.

Make a resolution for some positive change.

Call someone who you haven’t called in a long time.

Go to friend’s house or invite them.

Cook nice home-made food and share with family and friends.

Pray for world peace and harmony.

Send out good vibes.

That’s real meaning of Diwali!

Let’s celebrate it together.