By Beds SU
Tuesday, 7 November 2023
The word Diwali actually comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, meaning "rows of lighted lamps" and the
festival celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
What's it about
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, and each religion marks different historical events and stories.
Hindus celebrate the return of deities Rama and Sita to Ayodhya after their 14-year exile. They also celebrate the day Mother Goddess Durga destroyed a demon called Mahisha.
Sikhs particularly celebrate the release from prison of the sixth guru Hargobind Singh in 1619. But Sikhs celebrated the festival before this date. In fact, the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar, the most holy place in the Sikh world, was laid on Diwali in 1577.
The founder of Jainism is Lord Mahavira. During Diwali, Jains celebrate the moment he reached a state called Moksha (nirvana, or eternal bliss).
When is it this year?
The festival is usually some time between October and November but the date changes each year. This year it takes place over five days from 10 November to 14 November with the main day of celebration on Sunday 12 November.
How do people celebrate?
One of the ways people celebrate Diwali is by decorating their homes with colourful rangoli designs, lighting diyas or displaying lights around the house. Others clean their homes, and buy gold or silver items for luck and good fortune.
Another tradition is to visit friends and family to exchange gifts, have parties and share delicious food and sweets like Jalebi, Kaju katli, Gulab jamun and Burfi.
Diwali is also a time for prayers and people also leave offerings to gods and goddesses - like Lakshmi the Hindu goddess of wealth - for good luck.
Article source - BBC website
Diwali at Beds SU
We are delighted to be hosting our own Diwali celebration on Monday 13 November in the Metro Bar, Luton Campus.
Come along and enjoy some lovely food, great music and dancing and please feel free to wear your traditional dress to make it even more of a celebration! More details...