From my vantage point here in India, where the festive season is a continuous spectacle of color and sound, I want to share a look at our most luminous celebration: Diwali, the Festival of Lights. While you may be familiar with the stunning images of fireworks and glittering lamps, the true essence of Diwali is a profound affirmation of hope, resilience, and the eternal triumph of good over evil. It’s a five-day marathon of tradition, feasting, and community that can teach us all a little something about lighting up the world, both literally and figuratively. If you've ever been curious about the history behind the dazzling lights and how this ancient festival inspired a small, modern act of personal goodwill, then read on.
Diwali is one of the most significant festivals in Hinduism, celebrated around the world, typically between mid-October and mid-November. The very name Deepavali means "row of lights."
Its spiritual core is rooted in several historical events, the most prominent being the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana and completing a 14-year exile. The people were so overjoyed that they illuminated the entire kingdom with earthen lamps (diyas) to welcome him home. This act of lighting the diya today symbolizes the victory of virtue and the restoration of moral order.
The festival's main day is also dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of prosperity and fortune. Homes are meticulously cleaned and brightly lit to welcome her blessings for the coming year. This connection reinforces the idea that prosperity—both material and spiritual—follows cleanliness, order, and the banishment of darkness.
Diwali is a comprehensive five-day celebration, each with its own special significance:
Dhanteras - A day considered auspicious for buying new items, often gold or silver, to welcome new prosperity into the home.
Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali) - The "Little Diwali," marked by purification rituals and increased lighting.
Lakshmi Puja (The Main Day) - The most significant day. Families perform worship, exchange vast quantities of sweets and gifts, share a grand feast, and launch spectacular fireworks displays.
Goverdhan Puja - A day for honouring nature and communal feasting.
Bhai Dooj - The final day, dedicated to celebrating the special bond between brothers and sisters.
The entire festival is an immersion in color, music, food, and family reunions, celebrating the renewal of life and the strength of relationships.
While the traditional celebrations focus inward on family and home, I decided this year to introduce a small, personal initiative that extends the Diwali spirit outward. This is not a common custom or tradition; it was simply my way of showing goodwill. Here in India, the festive season means massive online shopping, which puts immense pressure on our delivery partners who work tirelessly to bring our packages.
I sent a message to my friends asking them to share the joy: if a delivery partner came to their door during Diwali, they should offer a warm "Happy Diwali!" and a small tip of 100 Indian Rupees (INR). It was a simple, spontaneous act to thank the heroes of the hustle.
Of course, I had to follow my own rule! The universe decided I needed three urgent deliveries that very day, ensuring my participation was immediate.
So, with a smile that was perhaps only 90% genuine, I parted with INR 300 of my hard-earned cash! Yes, that's three crisp 100-rupee notes distributed in a flurry of festive cheer and polite greetings. My wallet is noticeably lighter, my monthly budget tragically unbalanced, and yet, the thought of those three hardworking people being surprised with an extra bit of cash and a genuine festive greeting does, I confess, make the loss of my INR 300 entirely worthwhile. It was a tiny, sarcastic "sacrifice" for the sake of true, widespread joy, and a powerful reminder that the simplest acts of generosity create the biggest smiles.
Diwali's core message—ignite your own light and share it with the world—is a universal truth. Let this luminous festival, and even my small delivery initiative, inspire you to choose hope, spread generosity, and celebrate the good that always triumphs.
What are your thoughts on this festival and my initiative! I’d love to read your comments below.
And if you enjoyed this glimpse into one of the world's greatest festivals and appreciate my dedication to festive generosity, please consider buying me a coffee!
Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali) - The "Little Diwali," marked by purification rituals and increased lighting.
Lakshmi Puja (The Main Day) - The most significant day. Families perform worship, exchange vast quantities of sweets and gifts, share a grand feast, and launch spectacular fireworks displays.
Goverdhan Puja - A day for honouring nature and communal feasting.
Bhai Dooj - The final day, dedicated to celebrating the special bond between brothers and sisters.
The entire festival is an immersion in color, music, food, and family reunions, celebrating the renewal of life and the strength of relationships.
While the traditional celebrations focus inward on family and home, I decided this year to introduce a small, personal initiative that extends the Diwali spirit outward. This is not a common custom or tradition; it was simply my way of showing goodwill. Here in India, the festive season means massive online shopping, which puts immense pressure on our delivery partners who work tirelessly to bring our packages.
I sent a message to my friends asking them to share the joy: if a delivery partner came to their door during Diwali, they should offer a warm "Happy Diwali!" and a small tip of 100 Indian Rupees (INR). It was a simple, spontaneous act to thank the heroes of the hustle.
Of course, I had to follow my own rule! The universe decided I needed three urgent deliveries that very day, ensuring my participation was immediate.
So, with a smile that was perhaps only 90% genuine, I parted with INR 300 of my hard-earned cash! Yes, that's three crisp 100-rupee notes distributed in a flurry of festive cheer and polite greetings. My wallet is noticeably lighter, my monthly budget tragically unbalanced, and yet, the thought of those three hardworking people being surprised with an extra bit of cash and a genuine festive greeting does, I confess, make the loss of my INR 300 entirely worthwhile. It was a tiny, sarcastic "sacrifice" for the sake of true, widespread joy, and a powerful reminder that the simplest acts of generosity create the biggest smiles.
Diwali's core message—ignite your own light and share it with the world—is a universal truth. Let this luminous festival, and even my small delivery initiative, inspire you to choose hope, spread generosity, and celebrate the good that always triumphs.
What are your thoughts on this festival and my initiative! I’d love to read your comments below.
And if you enjoyed this glimpse into one of the world's greatest festivals and appreciate my dedication to festive generosity, please consider buying me a coffee!
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