Transcript 8812702160

Summarization
The Festivals of Lights or Deepavali is
celebrated by Hindus throughout the world.
Deepavali literally means row of lights.
Northern Indians call the festival “Diwali”.
Though the festival is celebrated by both
North and South Indians, their practices
and customs differ.
The Story
There are many
legends associated
with the celebration of
Deepavali which falls
in the month of Aipasi
(between October
and November).
One legend relates how Narakasura won the
favor of God and was blessed with the rule of a
kingdom. However, he ruled his kingdom with
terror and cruelty. His ill treated subjects
appealed to Lord Sri Krishna, the divine ruler of
Madura for help and Narakasura was
subsequently killed by Lord Krishna in battle. On
Lord Krishna’s return, the city was in complete
darkness as it was a new moon night. To
celebrate the victory and welcome Lord Krishna,
the people lit lamps to light the way. To this day,
Hindus mark the victory of Lord Krishna over
King Narakasura by lighting lamps.
The epic Ramayana relates another story on the
origins of Deepavali. In the Ramayana its
legendary hero Lord Rama was deprived of his
rightful ascend to the throne and exiled to the
forests for 14 years by his stepmother who then
crowned her own son Bharatha as King of
Atuthya. As a filial son, Lord Rama only returned
from exile to Ayuthya with his wife Sita and
brother Lakshmana, after 14 years. Deepavali is
believed to be celebrated in honour of Lord
Rama’s return from exile. Both the legends
signify the winning of good over evil and of light
over darkness.
Ceremony
South Indian Hindus celebrate Deepavali
at dawn when the whole family wakes up
before sunrise for a ritualistic oil bath. The
head of the household dabs a drop of
ginger oil on everyone’s head before their
bath. This symbolic purification rite marks
a new beginning. Hindus then dress in
their new best clothes and visit the temple
to offer prayers to God and to make new
resolutions.
Decorating
During Deepavali, the entrance to Hindu homes
is decorated with fresh mango leaves and
kolams (Indian floor art). It is believed that the
Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi, will only enter a
home that is adorned with a kolam. Modern
Singaporeans adorn their homes with tinsel and
plastic decorations shaped to look like mango
leaves. Instead of a kolam hand drawn with rice
flour what one would probably see are stickers
with intricate kolam motifs pasted in front of a
Hindu home in Singapore today.
Food
Sweet delicacies like jelebi (deep fried
batter in syrup), ney urundai (green
mung bean sweets) are served with
traditional breakfast which would include
thosai (rice flour pancakes) and
iddiyappam (rice flour hoppers). Savory
delicacies like murukku (crunchy snack)
and vadai (lentil cake) are also served.
Conclution
Festivities for the day would include
feasting on traditional foods, visiting with
friends and relatives, offering prayers for
the Lord, and lighting of oil lamps around
the home. The rows of oil lamps placed in
the home are believed to usher in all that
is good. Children celebrate the day playing
with sparklers.
It is during the Deepavali season that the
deceased are especially missed and
remembered. Hindus honour the
departed souls of loved ones a week
before Deepavali with offerings and
prayers. The head of the household
symbolically places favorite foods,
sweets, fruits and flowers in front of the
photograph of the deceased and offers a
feast to visitors.
In Singapore, Little India is
transformed into a fairyland with an
explosion of vibrant, colorful arches
and lights during the Deepavali
festive season. Festive bazaars and
cultural performances pepper the
streets along Serangoon Road during
this month.