DIWALI – FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Celebrations and Customs

This is perhaps the most well-known of the Indian festivals: it is celebrated throughout India, as well as in Indian communities throughout the diaspora. In Africa, the UK, USA, Australia, Canada and Germany Diwali celebrations grow each year. The Festival of Lights (Diwali)  usually takes place eighteen days after Dusshera. It is colloquially known as the "festival of lights", for the common practice is to light small oil lamps (called diyas) and place them around the home, in courtyards, verandahs, and gardens, as well as on roof-tops and outer walls. In Canada, coloured strings of light often suffice. In urban areas, especially, candles are substituted for diyas; and among the nouveau riche in India, it is in vogue to hang neon lights  to substitute for candles. The celebration of the festival is invariably accompanied by the exchange of sweets and fireworks. As with other Indian festivals, Diwali signifies many different things to people around the world. In north India, Diwali celebrates Rama's homecoming, that is his return to Ayodhya after the defeat of Ravana and his coronation as king; in Gujarat, the festival honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; and in Bengal, it is associated with the goddess Kali. Everywhere, it signifies the renewal of life, and accordingly it is common to wear new clothes on the day of the festival; similarly, the festival foreshadows  the approach of winter and the beginning of the sowing season. The Diwali celebrations in Vancouver typically include a parade, many celebrations and entertainment events and the preparation of homes with coloured lights and an array of sweets. Many non-Indian Vancouverites attend the Diwali festival which provides the delights of good fellowship, great music and a banquet of sweets!