DSU’s Diwali Bake Sale selling gulab jamun and rasgulla, which is a soft dough ball soak in a delicious sugary, milky syrup.
People in Picture: Ryan G, Christian W, Yumna W, Zoha W
By: Zoha Wasif
Special Thanks to Ananya M., Keshika K., and DSU
Diwali is the festival of lights. Candles and marigolds decorate the homes and temples; and everyone dresses up in their newest clothes. It is celebrated with a visit to the temple and an enormous party with friends and family to celebrate after, and one of the most exciting traditions, firecrackers after dark. This year, the students of WCASD had off for this holiday for the first time on Thursday, November 4. What surprised me was how few people knew about this holiday, so I went ahead and did my research to give you more information about the amazing festival known as Diwali. It is so much more than just the festivities.
Diwali, or Deepavali, is the Festival of Lights that is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Newar Buddhists. It can last up to five days depending on the cycle of the moon and starts two days before the new moon comes up. It is a celebration of hope, happiness, and peace that symbolizes the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness.
In many homes, the week leading up to Diwali is filled with preparations. Homes are cleaned from top to bottom and many traditional sweets are made. Some popular favorites include gulab jamun (delicious fried dough balls covered in rose syrup) and payasam (a sweetened pudding made with either milk or coconut milk and finished off with ghee-fried nuts and dry fruits).
On the day of Diwali, people wear new clothes to symbolize a fresh start, and many families visit the local temple. They also light deepam or diyas, which are clay candle holders. These candles are often used to decorate homes. Next is pooja, which is a prayer where people make offerings to God. Then, they eat and party, and in the evening, they light firecrackers to celebrate. This is the highlight of most Hindu celebrations of Diwali (besides the delicious food, of course).
Many people who celebrate Diwali end their celebration by sharing the behind Diwali. The story goes like this: Lord Rama, one of the deities they celebrate, was exiled to the forest for many years because one of his stepmothers wanted her son to be king, instead of Lord Rama. So, she talked to Rama’s father, her husband, and asked him to exile Lord Rama. He was exiled for 14 years, and during those years, his stepmother tried to make her son king. However, her mission was in vain, because the sons were all loyal to each other and told Rama that it was his rightful place on the throne. One of his brothers, Lakshman, came along with him. After 14 years, Rama finally returned, and his return is now celebrated by lighting diyas on Diwali.
I have now learned that, while Diwali is the Festival of Lights, it is so much more than just that. It is also a celebration of the light winning over evil, or in Rama’s case, brotherhood over the blind need for power. It is a celebration of hope, happiness, and peace.
Please fill out this google form to help us find how many people at Henderson celebrate Diwali: https://forms.gle/xuPgiV4ZYFRuUyVQ6