SummarizationSummarization

The Festivals of Lights or Deepavali is ceThe Festivals of Lights or Deepavali is celebrated by Hindus throughout the world. lebrated by Hindus throughout the world. Deepavali literally means row of lights. NorDeepavali literally means row of lights. Northern Indians call the festival “Diwali”. Thothern Indians call the festival “Diwali”. Though the festival is celebrated by both North ugh the festival is celebrated by both North and South Indians, their practices and custand South Indians, their practices and customs differ. oms differ.

The StoryThe Story

There are many legenThere are many legends associated with the ds associated with the celebration of Deepavcelebration of Deepavali which falls in the mali which falls in the month of Aipasi (betweonth of Aipasi (between October and Noveen October and November). mber).

One legend relates how Narakasura won the favOne legend relates how Narakasura won the favor of God and was blessed with the rule of a kingor of God and was blessed with the rule of a kingdom. However, he ruled his kingdom with terror dom. However, he ruled his kingdom with terror and cruelty. His ill treated subjects appealed to Land cruelty. His ill treated subjects appealed to Lord Sri Krishna, the divine ruler of Madura for helord Sri Krishna, the divine ruler of Madura for help and Narakasura was subsequently killed by Lop and Narakasura was subsequently killed by Lord Krishna in battle. On Lord Krishna’s return, thrd Krishna in battle. On Lord Krishna’s return, the city was in complete darkness as it was a new e city was in complete darkness as it was a new moon night. To celebrate the victory and welcommoon night. To celebrate the victory and welcome Lord Krishna, the people lit lamps to light the we Lord Krishna, the people lit lamps to light the way. To this day, Hindus mark the victory of Lord ay. To this day, Hindus mark the victory of Lord Krishna over King Narakasura by lighting lamps. Krishna over King Narakasura by lighting lamps.

The epic Ramayana relates another story on the The epic Ramayana relates another story on the origins of Deepavali. In the Ramayana its legendorigins of Deepavali. In the Ramayana its legendary hero Lord Rama was deprived of his rightful ary hero Lord Rama was deprived of his rightful ascend to the throne and exiled to the forests for ascend to the throne and exiled to the forests for 14 years by his stepmother who then crowned h14 years by his stepmother who then crowned her own son Bharatha as King of Atuthya. As a filier own son Bharatha as King of Atuthya. As a filial son, Lord Rama only returned from exile to Ayal son, Lord Rama only returned from exile to Ayuthya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, uthya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, after 14 years. Deepavali is believed to be celebrafter 14 years. Deepavali is believed to be celebrated in honour of Lord Rama’s return from exile. ated in honour of Lord Rama’s return from exile. Both the legends signify the winning of good oveBoth the legends signify the winning of good over evil and of light over darkness.r evil and of light over darkness.

CeremonyCeremonySouth Indian Hindus celebrate Deepavali aSouth Indian Hindus celebrate Deepavali at dawn when the whole family wakes up bet dawn when the whole family wakes up before sunrise for a ritualistic oil bath. The hefore sunrise for a ritualistic oil bath. The head of the household dabs a drop of ginger ad of the household dabs a drop of ginger oil on everyone’s head before their bath. Toil on everyone’s head before their bath. This symbolic purification rite marks a new his symbolic purification rite marks a new beginning. Hindus then dress in their new beginning. Hindus then dress in their new best clothes and visit the temple to offer prbest clothes and visit the temple to offer prayers to God and to make new resolutions.ayers to God and to make new resolutions.

DecoratingDecoratingDuring Deepavali, the entrance to Hindu homes iDuring Deepavali, the entrance to Hindu homes is decorated with fresh mango leaves and kolams decorated with fresh mango leaves and kolams (Indian floor art). It is believed that the Goddess (Indian floor art). It is believed that the Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi, will only enter a home that s of Wealth, Lakshmi, will only enter a home that is adorned with a kolam. Modern Singaporeans is adorned with a kolam. Modern Singaporeans adorn their homes with tinsel and plastic decoratiadorn their homes with tinsel and plastic decorations shaped to look like mango leaves. Instead of ons shaped to look like mango leaves. Instead of a kolam hand drawn with rice flour what one woua kolam hand drawn with rice flour what one would probably see are stickers with intricate kolam ld probably see are stickers with intricate kolam motifs pasted in front of a Hindu home in Singapmotifs pasted in front of a Hindu home in Singapore today. ore today.

FoodFood

Sweet delicacies like jelebi (deep fried baSweet delicacies like jelebi (deep fried batter in syrup), ney urundai (green mung btter in syrup), ney urundai (green mung bean sweets) are served with traditional brean sweets) are served with traditional breakfast which would include thosai (rice fleakfast which would include thosai (rice flour pancakes) and iddiyappam (rice flour our pancakes) and iddiyappam (rice flour hoppers). Savory delicacies like murukku hoppers). Savory delicacies like murukku (crunchy snack) and vadai (lentil cake) ar(crunchy snack) and vadai (lentil cake) are also served.e also served.

ConclutionConclution

Festivities for the day would include feastiFestivities for the day would include feasting on traditional foods, visiting with friends ng on traditional foods, visiting with friends and relatives, offering prayers for the Lord, and relatives, offering prayers for the Lord, and lighting of oil lamps around the home. and lighting of oil lamps around the home. The rows of oil lamps placed in the home The rows of oil lamps placed in the home are believed to usher in all that is good. Chare believed to usher in all that is good. Children celebrate the day playing with sparklildren celebrate the day playing with sparklers.ers.

It is during the Deepavali season that the It is during the Deepavali season that the deceased are especially missed and remdeceased are especially missed and remembered. Hindus honour the departed soembered. Hindus honour the departed souls of loved ones a week before Deepavauls of loved ones a week before Deepavali with offerings and prayers. The head of li with offerings and prayers. The head of the household symbolically places favoritthe household symbolically places favorite foods, sweets, fruits and flowers in frone foods, sweets, fruits and flowers in front of the photograph of the deceased and t of the photograph of the deceased and offers a feast to visitors.offers a feast to visitors.

In Singapore, Little India is transformeIn Singapore, Little India is transformed into a fairyland with an explosion of d into a fairyland with an explosion of vibrant, colorful arches and lights durivibrant, colorful arches and lights during the Deepavali festive season. Festng the Deepavali festive season. Festive bazaars and cultural performanceive bazaars and cultural performances pepper the streets along Serangoon s pepper the streets along Serangoon Road during this month. Road during this month.