Happy Diwali! The Festival of Lights is a perfect celebration for dark times
Perhaps humans of all faiths as well as atheists could appreciate the meaning of Diwali, celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs as the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and truth over ignorance. . It’s hard to think of more epic wins than these. Diwali is honored by light in all its forms, explosive and gentle, from children’s fireworks and sparklers to glowing lamps in temples, homes and streets and gardens. The orange and crimson striped marigold mountains used to decorate homes and temples offer a blaze of color. The streets of major cities sparkle with electric and neon decorations.
This year, due to the pandemic, the Hindu temple in Albany did not host fireworks or parties. But to help readers make the most of the great vacation, The Times Union shares a nice range of photographs of Diwali celebrations, old and new, from Clifton Park and Albany in Hong Kong, India and Pakistan.
Diwali began on Thursday and the festivities last for five days. In addition to the epic battles between dark and light, the holidays focus on new beginnings and new beginnings. Celebrants wear new clothes and exchange gifts, often sweet treats. Forbes magazine noted Diwali traditions that shopkeepers dedicate special prayers to their businesses and workers, and in India, Diwali is ushering in a shopping spree as big as American Black Friday.
“Unlike the austerity of many other religious traditions, in Hinduism wealth and spirituality are not seen as antithetical,” wrote Forbes writer Leeza Mangaldas. “Wealth acquired through honest means is considered divine, and although greed is discouraged, it is perfectly acceptable to pray for financial success and prosperity. “
Most worshipers attend prayers in temples filled with flickering candles and food offerings. As you walk the temple path through a working-class Indian neighborhood where garlands of fairy lights glittered from porches and rooftops, the light can seem fragile in the face of the vast darkness. But that is, in a way, why Diwali is such a significant holiday for religious and lay people; it takes into account the reality that the triumph of light over darkness is rooted in battles that can recur over centuries. As the great Native American author Sonali Dev notes, the forces of light demand vigilance and nourishment. And Diwali reminds us that light, from the twinkling of a candle to the kindling of a bonfire, is great when united.
