The festival of Diwali was celebrated across the world on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a vibrant and cherished festival celebrated widely in India, the Subcontinent and across the globe. Known as the "Festival of Lights," Diwali symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. With its roots in rich cultural traditions, Diwali unites people across various backgrounds.
The word "Diwali" originates from the Sanskrit word dipavali, meaning "a row of lights." Celebrated over five days during the Hindu lunar months of Ashvin and Kartika (October–November), each day holds unique customs, symbolising prosperity, family bonds, and spiritual renewal:
The festival spans multiple days, each dedicated to unique traditions and meanings. It begins with Dhanteras, dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. On this day, families clean and decorate their homes, believing it attracts prosperity.
Next is Naraka Chaturdashi, or Choti Diwali, which celebrates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, symbolising the defeat of darkness. For this purpose, homes are beautifully decorated, and sweets are shared in joy.
On the main day, the Lakshmi Puja is held. It is a time for families to perform prayers, seek the goddess's blessings for prosperity, and celebrate with lamps, fireworks, and festive meals. Govardhan Puja, also called Padwa, honours the bond between husband and wife and symbolises protection, commemorating Lord Krishna’s lifting of the Govardhan Hill.
On the final day, Bhai Dooj celebrates the sibling bond as brothers and sisters exchange blessings and gifts, marking the festival’s end with warmth and affection. Together, these five days create a tapestry of devotion, unity, and celebration.
Diwali’s origins: Cultural and seasonal roots
Tracing back to the Indus Valley Civilisation, Diwali was initially a harvest festival of cotton and rice crops. Ancient societies celebrated the season’s bounty, marking the shift from summer to autumn and the start of a new financial year for many Indian communities.
Today, the festival is celebrated with a vibrant mix of cultural elements. Homes and streets are adorned with lamps, or diyas, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness. Fireworks illuminate the sky, adding to the joy and excitement of the celebration. Traditional sweets like ladoos and barfis are shared amongst family and friends, strengthening the community's bonds and bringing people together. Colourful rangoli patterns decorate entrances, warmly welcoming guests and inviting prosperity into homes. Together, these elements create a festive atmosphere filled with warmth, beauty, and togetherness.
Diwali’s spiritual significance across religions
For Hindus, Diwali honours key legends, such as Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya and Lakshmi’s blessings. In Sikhism, it coincides with Bandi Chhor Divas, marking Guru Hargobind’s release, symbolising liberation. In Jainism, it commemorates Lord Mahavira’s enlightenment, reflecting inner light. Some Buddhists, especially in Nepal, celebrate it as Emperor Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism, symbolising peace and compassion.
Diwali in Pakistan
In the province of Sindh, the celebrations of Diwali, trace back to the ancient Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro civilisations, where themes of light, renewal, and community were celebrated. Today, this heritage endures in Sindh’s inclusive society, uniting people of all faiths—Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and Hindus. Sites from the Indus Valley civilisation, dating to around 2500 BCE, reflect a culture that shaped festivals like Diwali.
Diwali in Sindh reflects joy but also the struggles of marginalised communities. Acknowledging these diverse celebrations is essential for a society that honors and respects the contributions of its Hindu minority.
In cities like Karachi and Hyderabad, Diwali fosters interfaith dialogue and community events, with diyas, sweets, and rangoli celebrating Sindh's legacy of unity. Local poets enrich the celebration by capturing its essence, making Diwali a time for creativity and reflection.
ڏِٺي ڏِياري، سامونڊين سڙھ سنباهيا،
وجهيو ور ونجهه کي، روئي وڻجاري،
ماريندئي مارِي، پرھ سور پرينءَ جو.
(شاه لطيف)
Look at the festival lamps, the sea is aflame,
Let us weep for the pain of separation,
We will strike and still bring forth the sun’s light.
ڪالھ توکي ڏٺو مون ڏياري جيان،
شهر ڏيئا ھيو ، روشني ھر دري..
(شیخ ایاز)
Yesterday, you looked at me like a festival lamp,
The city was full of lights, and illumination at every door.
خیر ہو تیری لیلاؤں کی، ان سب سے کہہ دو
آج کی شب جب دیئے جلائیں، اونچی رکھیں لو
(فیض احمد فیض)
May good fortune come to your nights; tell all of them
Tonight, when we light the lamps, keep them high.
سنڌڙيءَ جي سينڌ ۾ رنگن ڀري رات،
ھولي ۽ بارات، ٻئي سھيليون سونھن جون.
(شيخ اياز)
In the fragrance of Sindh, the night is filled with colors,
Holi and wedding celebrations, both are beautiful.
عيد به ساڳي، ھولي به ساڳي،
پاڻ ٻنھي جي ٻولي به ساڳي.
مون وٽ تو لاءِ مان وڏو آ،
مذھب کان انسان وڏو آ.
(بينا ابڙورو)
The Eid is the same, the Holi is the same,
The language of both is the same.
I have something significant for you,
Humanity is greater than religion.
مايوسين جي اونداھيءَ ۾،
تنھنجي مُرڪ ڏياري وانگي.
In the darkness of despair,
Your smile is like the festival light.
نيڻ عيدون ھجن، دل ڏياري ھجي.
روشني روشني سنڌ سـاري ھجـي..
Let the courtyard be filled with joy, let the heart celebrate the festival.
Let there be light throughout the land of Sindh.
ڪڏھن عيد اڱڻ تي، ڪڏھن ڏياري.......،
جرڪي سنڌ ساري، سدا هجي سوجھرو.
Sometimes Eid in the courtyard, sometimes Diwali...
Shimmering Sindh forever remains bright.
Diwali’s origins predate the Ramayana, symbolising ancient societal conflicts of Aryans and Dravidians. Diwali highlights different challenges, as labourers face economic hardships that limit their participation. Commodification contrasts with these struggles, emphasising class divides. True celebration calls for collective well-being and reflection on inequality. Media often focuses on affluent celebrations, overlooking 80% of the population, including Scheduled Castes, Harijans, Dalits, and Adivasis, whose rich traditions are rarely shown. This highlights economic inequality and limited recognition for Pakistan’s Hindu community, who lack media support despite a public holiday. Political priorities often favour affluent Hindus, limiting broader representation.
However, Diwali in Sindh reflects joy but also the struggles of marginalised communities. Acknowledging these diverse celebrations is essential for a society that honours and respects the contributions of its Hindu minority.
Diwali is a celebration of unity, hope, and renewal. It transcends cultural and religious boundaries, encouraging all to embrace joy, reflect on virtues, and share in the universal triumph of light over darkness. Diwali invites us to appreciate our shared humanity, fostering a brighter, more harmonious world.