With lanterns aglow, glittering gold and platters piled high with sweets, Diwali blazes bright every year for a five-day celebration
Diwali, known as the festival of lights, is one of the most important celebrations on the Hindu calendar. The name itself means ‘string of lights’, referencing the glowing lanterns that cast away the shadows of night throughout the festivities.
While the celebration is traditionally a Hindu event, it’s also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains, but may carry different meanings specific to each religion.
The festival falls during the full moon in autumn according to the Indian lunar calendar, and is a five-day riot of colour and noise.
This year, it’ll be taking place between 11th and 15th November where each of the five days is reserved for specific rituals and customs.
The first day of Diwali is considered to be the most auspicious day to buy gold or silver, as well as new utensils.
The most important day of the festival is the third, which involves wearing new clothes and giving gifts and sweets to friends and family to mark the start of the New Year.
Diwali is traditionally a time for goodwill
and prosperity and also marks the start of the new Hindu financial year, so it’s a popular shopping period.
Legends of Diwali
Although there are many legends and themes surrounding the festival, one of the most prominent is the theme of light triumphing over darkness.
For many, this theme is embodied in the legend of Lord Rama and his destruction of the demon king Ravana in order to rescue his wife Sita.
The goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi, is also an important figure in Hindu scriptures, and the festival commemorates the time she rose from the ocean.
Ancient customs
One of the most popular Diwali rituals is the lighting of clay oil lamps called diyas.
These are placed around the home, garden and rooftops to light up the night and ward away darkness.
Firecrackers and fireworks are set off to celebrate the defeat of evil.
Brightly-coloured rangoli patterns are drawn with coloured sand or flower petals at the entrances of houses to welcome Lakshmi so she can bring good fortune.
Homes are cleaned from top to bottom in preparation for the celebration.
Sweet eats
Like many festivals, there’s no doubt that one of the best parts of Diwali is the gathering of friends and family for a huge feast.
Savoury snacks might include samosas, pakoras and mathiya, a fried snack made from lentil flour.
Mithai, or sweetmeats, are a festival staple. The sugary, soft sweets are often given as gifts.
Gulab jamun, dough balls covered in syrup, and barfi, a fudgy milk-based sweet,
are also popular treats.
Sharada Nelanutula is from India
To me, Diwali is very special. I love how beautiful the house looks with the little diyas lit up everywhere.
When I was a child, my mum would always make delicious sweets and it was my job to distribute them to the neighbours. The neighbourhood kids would get together and burst firecrackers in the street.
The best Diwali food is motichoor ladoo, a sweet, fried delicacy made of chickpea flour and sugar.
Godfrey Anthony is from India
Diwali reminds me of when I was a child and my parents would buy firecrackers.
Every Diwali, I cherish the memories of my family’s celebrations. We’d get a new outfit as part of the celebration and get together with the family – it’s a beautiful thing.
Homemade sweets are one of the best parts – my mum used to make delicious ones.
This year, I’ll be celebrating at the Indian Social Cultural Centre where we’ll eat and exchange gifts.
Sumita Sunar is from Nepal
In Nepal, we call the festival Diwali Tihar or Deepawali.
Some of my earliest memories of celebrating are buying a new dress, eating sweets, singing and dancing.
I love lighting candles inside the house and getting together with friends and family. This year, I’m going to light candles in my apartment and my friends will come over for some delicious food.
My favourite Diwali food is sel roti, a traditional Nepalese sweet shaped like a doughnut.
Where to celebrate
- Ferrari festivities. 6th to 15th November. The Festival of Lights returns, with Bollywood dancing and dhol drumming, rangoli and henna for the whole family. From AED 260. Ferrari World, Yas Island. Sun-Thu 11am-8pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm. Contact:
02 496 8000, ferrariworldabudhabi.com - Diwali digits. From 1st November, enjoy a Diwali-inspired manicure from The Nail Spa. AED 90 for manicure plus AED 15 per nail for Diwali nail art. Various locations. Contact: 600 544 001, thenailspa.com
- Festive feast. 11th November. A special five-course menu. AED 150. Avasa, The Collection, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Hotel & Resort. Noon-11pm. Contact: 02 674 2221,thecollection.ae/dining
- Indian Social Cultural Centre. 12th November. A great community event with diyas, dancing and food. Free. From 8.30pm. Mina Street, near the fire station. Contact: 02 673 0066, iscabudhabi.com
