Column: Diwali: My new favorite holiday

Imagine a celebration that combines the fireworks and nationwide observance of Independence Day, the excitement and sweets consumption of Halloween and the religious undertones of Christmas.

Multiply the insanity by five, and that was my experience with Diwali.

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, celebrates the victory of good over evil.

There are several narratives associated with Diwali in Hinduism.

One significant chronicle celebrates Lord Rama’s return after 14 years of exile, or
vanvas.

According to the “Ramayana,” Rama leaves his kingdom in order to preserve his father’s honor.

While Rama’s serving his exile in the forest, his wife Sita is captured by the demon
Ravana.

After a long and arduous journey, Rama fights and defeats Ravana.

This battle is commemorated during Dussehra, another Hindu festival.

Twenty days later, Hindus celebrate Diwali.

The date fluctuates from year to year because Hindu festivals are based on the lunisolar calendar.

This year, Diwali was Nov. 3.

At my homestay, the celebrations began Nov. 2 with a full day of cleaning.

People traditionally clean their homes to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

On Diwali, I helped my host mom string marigold flowers together to make a festive garland.

She decorated the entryway to our flat with a rangoli drawn with white chalk and filled in with petals from marigold flowers.

Clay diyas, or small oil lamps, were placed around the rangoli.

Once the sun set, the lamps were lit, and it was time for fireworks.

It looked and sounded as if everyone in Hyderabad decided to set off fireworks at the same time.

Our colony was filled with explosions of color. White lights burst out and showered down from “flower pots,” or small, cylindrical firecrackers.

Children ran around outside our apartment complex with sparklers as their fathers managed the firecrackers.

I would have been more nervous about safety if it hadn’t been so much fun.

Rumor has it a building near my friend’s homestay caught fire during the celebrations.
 
The blaze was quickly put out by firefighters, and no one was hurt.

I’ve never seen or heard of firefighters in Hyderabad, so I suppose it was comforting to know they exist.

Fire hazards aside, everyone I asked said Diwali was their favorite festival.

It’s easy to see why.

The energy surrounding Diwali celebrations is contagious.
 
American holidays pale in comparison.

People give sweets and small gifts to their friends and family, but the rampant commercialism of Western holidays like Christmas hasn’t seeped into Diwali in
Hyderabad.

Diwali is the height of festival season, and it lit up the city.

Seeing as the United States Congress celebrated Diwali for the first time this year, maybe it will become a more popular holiday nationwide.

I can only hope this happens, because Diwali is my new favorite holiday.

­— kmthacke@indiana.edu

Follow columnist Kate Thacker on Twitter @KatelynThacker.