Venkat Raman
Sartorial resplendency, fireworks, sweets, fun, frolic, music, goodwill and family get together are all a part of the festival of lights celebrated throughout the world. To millions of Hindus, Diwali denotes a new year, a new lease of life, new hopes and new dreams.
As cosmopolitan society, New Zealanders will join the small but well-meaning and well- knit Hindus in celebrating the Festival, although somewhat conditioned by the growing commercialism that has begun to dominate in recent years.
But the spirit of the day will loom large on Diwali Day (October 19, 2017) and at a number of events that have already commenced throughout the country.
How does the world celebrate the Festival? As it is often said, there is much more to Diwali than feasting and merrymaking. It is a holy tradition, symbolising the victory of light over darkness and celebration of wealth and prosperity. Over the years, it has transcended limits of nationality and even religion. Here is a brief account of the festival as celebrated in Australia, Britain, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
Australia
Australians have learnt to celebrate the festival with the same gusto as other Christian occasions, with an estimated 500,000 Indians settled in the country. Due to the large number of Hindu here, Diwali is one of the festivals that is celebrated with enthusiasm. The festival is marked by lighting of earthen lamps in rows making images out of the rows. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped as the Giver of wealth and crackers are burnt to scare away evil spirits.
Britain
Indians constitute the second largest ethnic minority (about 1.3 million) in Britain and Diwali marks a major festival throughout the Kingdom. The festivities include exchange of special sweets, burning of incense sticks, lighting the home and surroundings with little oil lamps and the blowing of the conch shell following prayers at the Lakshmi temple. The festival here is celebrated according to the Hindu solar calendar hence it falls in the month of October, with the wintry weather beginning to bite. And yet, enthusiasm runs high.
Japan
Japan, the land of the rising sun also celebrates Diwali with the belief that the day would also be the dawn of happiness, progress, prosperity and longevity. The festival here is celebrated in a unique way that is not common in India. Here the people go out into the orchards and gardens and hang lanterns and paper made hanging structures on the branches of trees. Dance and music continues throughout the night. Putting on new clothes and going for boating and broom cleaning of the house are also some of the other related activities of the festival. The places of worship are decorated with beautiful wallpapers to bring in the festive mood and the auspicious beliefs related to the festival.
Malaysia
Fascinating in its diversity, Malaysia has many mesmerising charms and attractions. With a population of about 20 million, comprising a harmonious multi-ethnic mix of Malays, Malaysia promises a colorful potpourri of culture traditions. Most are based on the various religions practices, beliefs and traditions influencing the costumes, festival, ceremonies and rituals. The Hindu community of Malaysia constitutes about 8% of its total population.
The community celebrates Diwali as a symbol of triumph of good over evil. The Malaysian people call Diwali as Hari Diwali. This festival is celebrated during the 7th month of the Hindu solar calendar. The south Indian traditional of oil bath precedes the festivities. The celebration includes visits to temples and prayers at household altars. Small lamps made from clay and filled with coconut oil and wicks are a common sight to signify the victory of Lord Rama, the hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana, over the demon king Ravana. Diwali is celebrated almost all over Malaysia except in Sarawak & Federal Territory of Labuan.
Singapore
Diwali celebration holds a significant place in the calendar of festivals of Singapore. The festival of lights is popularly known here as Deepavali, reflecting the Tamil influence. ‘Deepam’ and ‘voli’, two Tamil words signify ‘lamp and ‘light’. Festivities run close to those back home in India and a public holiday.
South Africa
South African culture is a mix of variety of cultures and the country once housed the largest immigrant Indian community in the world. The immigrant Indians account of almost one million in the country, 65% of whom are Hindus and hence Diwali holds an important place in the festival calendar. The celebration is more or less same to that of India. Most of the Hindus here are from Gujarat and Tamilnadu and continue to follow their regional variations of Hinduism.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has a place in the great Indian epic of Ramayana and as such Diwali has special significance. The festival is marked by illumination, making of toys of enamel and making of figures out of crystal sugar popularly known as Misiri. The sugar crystals take the place of sweets. Burning of crackers in the evening of the festival is a common practice of this festival.
Thailand
Diwali is celebrated in Thailand under the name of Lam Kriyongh during October-November. The festival follows the Indian pattern with Diyas made of banana leaves decorating homes with lit candles, a coin and incense. These are set afloat on a river, which gives a wonderful view together on the water. The festival is not an extravagant affair. People greet each other and wish them happy returns of the day. Distribution of sweets is a common practice on this day.
