DIWALI @ Q8

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. It 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 urban areas, especially, candles are substituted for diyas; and among the nouveau riche, neon lights are made to substitute for candles. The celebration of the festival is invariably accompanied by the exchange of sweets and the explosion of fireworks. As with other Indian festivals, Diwali signifies many different things to people across the country. 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, it heralds the approach of winter and the beginning of the sowing season.

It is the Hindu New Year and is either a 3-day or 5-day holiday depending on where you come from. It is a very exciting and colourful holiday. Homes are cleaned to welcome the New Year and windows are opened so that the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, can enter. It is believed that she cannot enter a house which is not lit up, so every household burns special Diwali clay lamps (diyas) to light the way for the goddess.
Children have a holiday from school. Presents are given and delicious holiday food is prepared and exchanged. New clothes and jewellery are worn. Parties are held, and dice and card games are played. Fireworks and firecrackers are set off to warn off evil spirits, so it is a noisy holiday too!

The last day of the holiday is a special day for brothers and sisters called Bhaiya-Dooj. Brothers give special presents to their sisters, who cook for them and look after them.

This year Diwali was celebrated on November 5.

Indian community in Kuwait on Friday celebrated the festival of lights Diwali with fervor and gaiety amid bursting of crackers and lighting of lamps. Since it was weekend, people could enjoy and celebrate. People decorated their homes with traditional lamps and lights to celebrate the festival. Areas like Farwaniya, Salmiya and Abbasiya where Indians are living in majority, people gathered in large group, clad in new attire and distributed sweets among their community members and friends and busted crackers. Fireworks were also witnessed in different places in Kuwait. Indian people of a residential building  met and distributed sweets n busted crakers. They even had formal get-together/ dinner get-together at any restaurent.

One the first day, we were with our building friends and them went to Salmiya area. The mood of festivity was more vigorous, dynamic and energitic there then in Abu Halifa. We went to our dear friend Sonal's house where we found Vaishali and her family already there. Together we went to the famous Titanic building to enjoy the lights and crakers. We returend and enjoyed in a nearby open field. By that time another friend n floor mate Lata bhabi and her family arrived. We enjoyed a lot...had dinner at Sonal's house and returned. Sonal who stayed with us in our building and floor recently shifted to Salmiya area. Next day on 6 November had a get-together and dinner party at Kohinoor Hotel. Our building kids performed and all enjoyed a lot.

Here are some pictures of Diwali celebration at Kuwait. Most of us made Rongali's in front of our house.

Rangoli made by ME

Made by my next door neighbour Lata

Made by my friend Vaishali