Diwali Festival: Journey Into the Festival Of Lights

by Barbara Yakimchuk

Diwali Festival: Journey Into the Festival Of Lights

26 Oct 2024

Next week, Dubai will be filled with events dedicated to the Indian festival of Diwali. If you walk through the city in the evening, you will most probably bump into the streets decorated with lanterns and happy, dressed up people. But what do we know about this festival? What does it stand for, and why does it mean so much for Indians?

Diwali is one of the most important festivals in India, also known as the Festival of Lights. It symbolises the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

Even though India has several religions, this festival unites many, including Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism. Diwali does not have a fixed date; it is celebrated on the 15th lunar day of the Hindu calendar, which usually happens somewhere in between the middle of October and November.

This year, the festival falls on November 1, but the celebrations will last for five days, from October 29 to November 3.

Since India itself is a blend of many different cultures and religions, the meaning of this festival varies. Traditionally, it is considered a celebration of the autumn harvest, although some believe that Diwali marks the beginning of the Indian New Year. For many, as mentioned, it also has a religious significance.

Let us dive into the details.

Photo: RDNE Stock project

Origins: Legends and myths

There are countless legends and myths around this festival (first of all because India is a really diverse nation). However, three stand out as the main ones.

Hinduism — Legend of Rama

Rama — the son of King Dasharatha — was known for his fairness and nobility, but due to gossip in the royal court, he was exiled to the forests for 14 years. He went into exile with his wife, Sita, and his brother, Lakshmana. During this time, they faced many challenges, including Sita's kidnapping by the demon Ravana. To rescue her, Rama and Lakshmana allied with the monkey king and his army. After a lengthy battle, Ravana was defeated.

When Rama returned to Ayodhya with his wife and brother, the citizens celebrated him by lighting lamps and setting off fireworks. This is why light is an important part of the festival; it symbolises the victory of light over darkness.

Hinduism — Legend of Lakshmi

Goddess Lakshmi was born when the gods and demons were trying to extract the nectar of immortality. That is why she represents beauty, wealth, and prosperity.

People believe that during Diwali, Lakshmi visits the Earth and blesses homes filled with warmth and cleanliness. This is why they clean their houses and decorate them with lights. According to the legend, the more light you have in your home — both physical, like lamps, and spiritual, like prayers — the greater the chance that Lakshmi will visit you and praise you with luck.

Photo: RDNE Stock project

Jainism — Legend of Mahavira

This legend is connected to Jainism, where Diwali marks the Nirvana of Mahavira, the last spiritual teacher of the Jains. According to the legend, Mahavira was born into a royal family but became a monk and advocated for the ideas of non-violence and asceticism. He was seeking liberation from the cycle of rebirths and ultimately achieved Nirvana — the freedom from suffering.

On this day, Mahavira’s followers light lamps as a sign of respect and mourning, as well as to celebrate his life and teachings.

Traditions and celebration

Celebrating Diwali largely depends on religion and varies from region to region in India. However, in general, there are some key features of the festival for every single person:

Family Unity — Diwali is a family holiday, usually spent with close ones (in many ways, it is similar to Christmas in Western countries). Indians decorate their homes and prepare large meals for their family.

Prayers — the prayers during Diwali vary depending on which legend people connect themselves with. You pray at home, creating small altars with offerings or visit the temples, which usually hold special services and ceremonies during the days of the festival.

Sweets and Charity — During Diwali, people prepare traditional sweets (like burfi, halwa, and karanji) to share with friends and neighbours.

Why sweets? First, since Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil, sweets represent that goodness — they symbolise happiness and joy. And, second, sweets are just easy to make — they are quick to cook and you require simple ingredients that are affordable for everyone, no matter their income.

What is quite interesting: Despite the tensions at the India-Pakistan border lasting over 70 years, there is a tradition where soldiers from both sides exchange sweets on Diwali as a sign of goodwill. This exchange is rarely cancelled, except in cases of serious conflict escalation.

Photos: Pexels @rdne; @anntarazevich; @lara-jameson

Diwali in Dubai

More than 30% of the UAE's population is of Indian origin, and naturally, when they move to a new country, they bring their cultural traditions with them. This makes the Festival of Lights feel almost like a mini New Year here — as for many, it really is.

This year, the Diwali celebrations in Dubai will last over a week, with events happening across different parts of the city to make it convenient for everyone to join in.

Fireworks displays will be held on:

October 25–26
November 1–2
November 4

From October 25-27, Al Seef will also host a market featuring shows, entertainment, workshops, and traditional Indian cuisine.

Global Village will be celebrating Diwali from October 28 to November 3, with a grand dance show featuring traditional Diwali performances planned for the final day of the festival.

Missing out on the coolest events in Dubai? We know where you’ll be in November: The Crowd Test Festival — the very first Art and Music Festival by The Sandy Times.

The lineup is incredible: Mainline Magic Orchestra from Spain, Eden Burns from New Zealand, and a lot of your favourite DJs like Hani J, Hassan Alwan, Bazzzuk, and more.

Mark your calendar, snag your tickets, and get ready: November 16, 2024, from 5 PM to 3 AM at Monkey Bar, Dubai.

by Barbara Yakimchuk