Happy Diwali

Photo borrowed from this site.

Deepawali or Diwali is a five-day festival that represents the start of the Hindu New Year. It is the most popular of the festivals from South Asia and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism.

"Deepawali" literally means "row of lamps". Diwali is celebrated worldwide as the "Festival of Lights" for all the fireworks, small clay lamps, and candles that are lit during the celebrations. These lights are said to represent the victory of good over evil within every human being. The candlelight makes Diwali a very warm and atmospheric festival, and it is observed with much joy and happiness.

According to the Times of India:

Regardless of the mythological explanation one prefers, what the festival of lights really stands for today is a reaffirmation of hope, a renewed commitment to friendship and goodwill, and a religiously sanctioned celebration of the simple - and some not so simple - joys of life.

Diwali is celebrated on the first day of the lunar Kartika month, which comes in the month of October or November. For this year, it is celebrated today, the 28th.

It was my flatmate Ayesha who first told me about this very special event. And when I was in Kuala Lumpur last year, I saw how grand Diwali was celebrated. Buildings and homes were bedecked with lights. It felt like Christmas!

So to all my Hindu friends, Happy Diwali. Thank you very much for your friendship. Here's to life, love and laughter.