A big celebration, Diwali is also known as the festival of lights. Diwali is celebrated all over the world and is considered one of the biggest Hindu celebrations. This year, Diwali starts from the 18th of October - 22nd of October. In India it goes on for 5 days.
Families who celebrate Diwali clean their houses so that the Gods would feel welcome. Gifts are given out to friends and family such as gold, sweets, etc. They would get dressed up in new clothes and have a vegetarian dinner. Fireworks are shot up into the sky at night, making it hard to see anything because of all the gunpowder/dust.
Near the doorway there would be a rangoli pattern on the floor which is like a greeting for guests. Our class made some rangoli patterns using chalk. The patterns had to be symmetrical. However, the traditional way, is by using coloured powder or broken rice like one of our teachers in the school.
I learnt that it is a huge Hindu celebration that is in fact quite similar to a few things celebrated in Auckland. It also broadened my mind to how different celebrations are in other cultures or religions. The fact that Hindus aren’t afraid to embrace their culture when it comes to Diwali is something I find very fascinating.
