Diwali or Deepavali in India, Singapore and Malaysia
DIWALI IN INDIA
Diwali is one of the biggest public holidays in the country and is celebrated around the whole area. The Indians celebrate the festival for five days: Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Lakshmi Puja Badi Diwali, Padwa and Bhaiduj. The people will pray to the Ganesha, who is the God, Lord of Beginnings and Remover of Obstacles and worship the Lakshimi, who is the Goddess of Wealth and brings wisdom, light and prosperity.
On the days running up to Diwali, houses are cleaned so that the first day people can start afresh. They will wear clothes that are new, light firecrackers, exchange gifts and have a bonfire for a full festive dinner.
Statues of the Goddess Lakshmi are carried in processions through the streets. Dipa lights made out of clay, Diwali Diyas, Ghee Lamps and Kandils are lit using coconut, clarified butter and mustard oils. Cotton wool is used to create wicks and the lamps are put outside in the doorways and on floors. Marigold and mango leaves are used to create torans for doorway furnishings.
DEEPAVALI DIWALI IN SINGAPORE
9.2% of Singapore’s population are Indians and they are the third largest group. Deepavali is a public holiday in Singapore.
Intricate decorations made up of candles and lights are used to help with celebrating the event. The spectacle helps to create a special event as nights are longer. The atmosphere created by the holiday is not just felt by Hindus. The whole nation feels the happiness and joy created by the lights.
Little India is an area of Singapore on Serangoon Road and is lit with lights, arches and garlands for the celebration. This is the main area for the Indian community to shop in the country and becomes a full street of festivities and is a popular place for children to enjoy lighting sparklers.
There are also cultural activities and bazaars held on the day. For example, the Indian Heritage and Craft Exhibition holds its own bazaar and there is a full street parade in Little India. All stalls have festive decorations, with flowers and garlands, which are then used for prayers. Oil lamps and Saris with glitter and gems are common for this holiday.
DIWALI IN MALAYSIA
Malaysia is well-known for its grandeur when celebrating Diwali, just like India. While it has a diverse culture, 8% of the population are Hindus or Indians, who all take the streets to celebrate the festival of lights. The celebrations are known as Hari Diwali by many of the Malaysian people.
During the festival of Deepavali, prayer and eating are common and part of a festival breakfast. Different types of dishes are made and an oil bath is run. One difference between the Malaysian festival and other countries is the lack of firecrackers. These are not allowed in the country so the people have to celebrate in other ways.
Many people in Malaysia spend the festival paying respect to elders in their families. Indians will also invite friends from other cultures into their homes, including the Chinese and Malay friends.
CELEBRATIONS IN OTHER COUNTRIES
While this is originally a Hindu festival, there are now many faiths that celebrate the festival of lights, including the Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs. The celebrations are held around the world but many do not have the same grandeur as India and Malaysia. This is a time for many Indians to trace their roots and visit their homeland.
There are a number of countries that witness a public holiday for Diwali, including Guyana, Mauritius, India, Malaysia, Trinidad & Tobago, Singapore, Myanmar, Fiji, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Indians in each of these countries will spend the days running up to Diwali cleaning their homes. This helps to release the bad luck and create space for good fortune to enter. During the celebrations, families will gather together and have a big feast to celebrate the festival of lights.
TRAVEL DEALS FOR DIWALI/DEEPAVALI
There will be many people travelling during Diwali so plan your journey carefully. There are many countries that celebrate this festival but there are travel deals available. Search multiple websites and sources to find the best deals on airfare, hotels and other tickets.
