Hi! Welcome to FunEmpire š
We take pride in finding the best local experiences, activities and services. We only recommend what we love, and hope you love them too. Learn about our story.
Deepavali
The Deepavali Festival, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a five-day celebration that marks the triumph of good over evil.
It is one of the most important festivals in Hinduism, and is celebrated by millions of people around the world each year. This blog post will give you all the information you need to know about Deepavali, including its history, traditions, and significance. We hope you enjoy learning about this fascinating festival!
When is Deepavali celebrated?
The five-day celebration is held every year in early autumn, shortly after the end of the summer harvest and just before the new moon (amÄvasyÄ), the darkest night of the Hindu lunisolar calendar.
Despite the fact that it is mostly observed by the Indian community, Deepavali is an official Singaporean public holiday.
History of Deepavali
The festivities commemorate the return of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, after a fourteen-year exile.
The Festival of Lights is held on the darkest night (first night of the new moon) in Kartik in Hindu calendar month.
People in rural India use small oil lamps called diyas at home. It is thought that deceased relatives return to Earth during this festival, and the lights are used to lead them back. The sound of firecrackers exploding is typical throughout the night since it is supposed to chase away bad spirits.
The exchange of gifts and sweets, the conclusion of old business transactions, and the encouragement to get rid of hatred, rage, and jealousy are among the holidayās main customs.
The holiday is a time for celebration and rebirth.
How is Deepavali celebrated?
Deepavali falls on October 24 this year, but preparations for the holiday begin far in advance. Cleaning must be done, new clothes purchased, and sweet and savory foods prepared.
During the Hindu new year, homes, businesses, and temples are adorned with kolam (also known as rangoli) to mark the occasion. To create intricate patterns using a sprinkling of colored rice in geometric shapes, dots, and lines, the floor art of kolam is done by laying out circles of colorful rice on the ground.
Celebration at Little India
If you go to the Little India region, youāll see just as many lights and decorations as Orchard Roadās Christmas decor. The area becomes more lively than usual during this period, with many people flocking to the stores to buy textiles, clothing, gold jewelry, flowers, and ingredients for making seasonal goodies while stopping to marvel at the lights.
Prayers and Rituals
The Hindu celebration of Deepavali begins with prayer (pujas) and the younger members of the family get blessings from their elders. Some Hindu families pay a visit to the temple to pray before spending the day visiting relatives and friends.
Fun Facts about Deepavali
1. The Deepavali festival is called different by location
You may hear others call the event Diwali rather than Deepavali, and they arenāt incorrect. Both names are derived from the Sanskrit term āDipavali,ā which means ārow of lights.ā They refer to the same occasion, but each name is used by people from different parts of South Asia.
However, the fact that we hear āDeepavaliā more in Singapore is because the majority of our early Indian settlers were Tamils from South India. Diwali, on the other hand, is a Hindi word that is frequently used by North Indians.
2. Symbolism of the sun
At dusk, a large number of oil lamps are ignited as part of Deepavali. There are a few reasons for this, but the major one is that light symbolizes the sun and drives away darkness. Since Deepavali always falls on a new moon, it is the darkest night of the year.
The mythological tales also give the lights a function that goes beyond mere ornamentation. Legend has it that Ayodhya lit up millions of lamps and lights to lead Lord Rama and Sita back to their own city.
Similar to this, Lakshmi followers will place lamps all around their residences to direct the goddess inside. The lamps are also used by Jains as a symbol for the preservation of Lord Mahavirās wisdom.
3. A Singaporean won Guinness World Record for the largest Rangoli
Rangoli, sometimes referred to as ākolam,ā is the lovely artwork you often see at the entryway of Indian homes. In 2003, Vijayalakshmi Mohan raised Singaporeās flag high as she broke the Guinness World Record for the largest rangoli drawn in the shortest amount of time.
At the Whampoa Community Club, Mohan accomplished this accomplishment by drawing a 2,756 square foot (256 square meter) rangoli in about seven hours without taking a break. We wonāt be surprised if Mohan was blessed tenfold following her successful attempt because rangolis are thought to fight off evil spirits and guide the goddess of prosperity and fortune Lakshmi into the homes.
Deepavali
Deepavali is a five-day Hindu festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. It is one of the most important festivals in Hinduism, and is celebrated by millions of people around the world each year.
Deepavali is a time for rejoicing and celebrating with family and friends, and there are many traditions and rituals associated with it! So be sure that you have them all noted for a more fruitful Deepavali celebration!
