Deepavali

Deepavali (shortened to Diwali) is an Indian holiday known as The Festival of Lights

It is a colorful 5 day festival celebrated by all Hindus worldwide sometime between mid October to mid November, depending on the lunar cycle.
The most significant spiritual meaning for Hindus is the awareness of the inner light which is central to Hindu philosophy. 
In many places, Malaysia included, it is a national holiday.

Small Clay lamps are lit in the home on Deepavali morning signifying truimph of good over evil.

By lighting their lamps Hindus are thanking the gods for the happiness, knowledge, peace and wealth they have received over the past year.

It is one of the most important festivals celebrated.

Interesting legend behind this festival:

Narakasura, a demon, ruled the kingdom of Pradyoshapuram.  Under his rule, the villagers suffered a lot of hardship as the demon tortured the people and kidnapped the women to be imprisoned in his palace.  Seeing his wickedness, Lord Krishna set out to destroy the demon.  The day Narakasura died is celebrated as Deepavali: the triumph of good over evil.

The Festival Days:

The first day, Dhan Teras, is used to shop for supplies to use during the celebration:

clothing

fireworks

divas (clay lamps)

sweets

The second day is the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth....who in her benevolent mood fulfills the wishes of her devotees providing good health and prosperity.

On the evening before Diwali begins a puji, which is a specific prayer and meditation period is observed by Hindus.

The third day is when Bali who has been banished to hell is allowed to return to earth to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness and ignorance and spread radiance of love and wisdom.

The fourth day is when sisters invite their brothers to their homes for the sharing of sweets and snacks

Hallwa (made by cooking milk, sugar and ghee into a thick consistency to form a candy like substance.  Nuts, dates and spices are sometimes added for a more savory taste), Sujee (made by mixing ghee and sugar into flour and rolling into small balls.  They are then wrapped in colored paper and melt immediately on the tongue)   and Ellu Urundai (sesame seed balls made by frying sesame seeds lightly in ghee. Then mix enough brown sugar with ghee to make it doughy then sprinkling the sesame seeds and a pinch of salt.  Knead to until thick consistency and roll into small balls - it is crumbly sweet)  

Preparation begins 3 to 4 weeks beforehand with cleaning of houses, sometimes even renovation, to which decoration reflects the joyous celebration of this holiday. 

On the evening before Diwali begin a ritual bath is performed followed by the anointing of oils and perfumes.  

 Clothing worn on Diwali - silk saris or brightly colored punjabi suits - must be new......that is part of the tradition.

Dress is brightly colored and might be considered extravagant any other time.

Plenty of accessories are added:  jewelry especially.

Gold and silver jewelry is preferred but costume jewelry....and lots of it.....is acceptable.

not a very good picture but this is
all earrings and bracelets - lots of it.

Henna decorations are a must.  Traditions state body art, such as henna tattoos, are to be treated as a blessing that will light up the soul.

Even I got in on the action

Notice my cross - that was on the picture that
I looked at to decide which one I wanted

Some patterns are very very
intricate.....even more so than this one.

Children, also, get in on the excitement with new clothing, firecrackers and balloons.  

The little girls even get henna tattoos.

I had read about a Little India in Klang. - which is within our state of Selangor - it is 5 stops away by the train.  So the day before Deepavali, Dennis and I headed down there to check out the action.  We were pleasantly surprised to see Little India there a hubbub of activity.  It was a short walk from the train station.

Below are some shots taken of the street market

This is where the action starts:  Jalan (street)
Tengku Diauddin
41000 is the zip code

Everybody wanted their pic taken

Not a clue what these are but they were
with the vegetables - mushrooms, maybe?

This little boy was put out to beg
and he fell asleep.  Dennis woke
him up to give him some money

Some pictures of the town of Klang

This was sign was outside a hair “saloon” (not salon) in Little India.  I do not think someone with hair like this gets it done here!  That is just not right!!!!

Interesting is that right across the street from where Little India begins is the mosque.

THEN across the street diagonally behind the mosque in a Methodist church and school

THEN directly across the street from the church and behind the mosque is a Hindu temple

We actually had planned on eating at one of the famous restaurants for Bah KutTeh which Klang is famous for.  However, when we were actually hungry we were not near any of the places that was known for this dish so we ended up eating at a restaurant on the Little India strip.  I am so glad we did - the food was nothing to write home about but it ended up being owned by Christians.  In the midst of this street that is all decked out for Deepavali celebration there is a light that shines brightly in the darkness!

Dennis and I ordered the same thing:
Mee Goreng 

This was hanging on the wall for all to see

Little India was fun and chaotic.  One group of older Indian women when they say me said, “hey auntie, got a quarter?”  Then they all started giggling like little school girls. - what in the world was that all about? Then we had some older, hippie looking drunk man following us around trying to aggravate us!  It was definitely an experience and well worth the cultural value. We were, by the way, the only “white” faces that was at Little India in Klang. All in all it was a great day.

We headed back to the train station for our ride home.

Dennis never misses an opportunity to make friends

View from the station 

Just a side note:  Malls, Department store, grocery stores, etc all get involved in the decorating for Deepavali.  Below are some pics that I took several places of how they decorate

I saw a little girl playing in this one which is
why it is messed up a little

Some are made of colored rice, some are little pebbles and some are dried beans, peas, corn, etc.

There you have it - the celebration of Deepavali

- till next time -