The Indian Hindu Festival of Divali

The many Indians that makeup the tapestry of nationalities within Trinidad & Tobago celebrate the Hindu festival Divali, in late October/early November – this year it is on the 8th of November. It is known as the Festival of Lights due to the tradition of lighting a profusion of ‘deyas’, (a deya is a little terracotta pot filled with oil and a little floating wick), in honour of Lakshmi, the goddess of light, beauty, riches and love.

It is said that the true meaning of Divali can be expressed, as being to bring light where darkness prevails, truth where untruth prevails, to bring life where death prevails, to brighten our surroundings, and to illumine our minds.

At Divali it is not surprising to see elaborate preparations being made to welcome the goddess into the homes of devotees. Though it is titled as being a festival, it is one with a difference since at the heart of the festival is a very significant religious observance as Lakshmi Mata is honoured and worshipped in the form of pujas, singing bhajans and with the chanting of mantras.

As children growing up in Trinidad, it didn’t matter whether you were Hindu or not, we always looked forward to the Hindu festival of Divali! We would usually have an early supper; and then as soon as it was dark, we would all pile into the car with friends and parents, and we would go for a long drive to see all the beautiful deyas that would be put out by house after house on the night of Divali . . . . . as a child I remember it being truly magical!

Go for a little drive, just after dark to look for ‘deyas’ – you too will feel the magic!

For much more information click here Divali in Trinidad & Tobago 

~ by ohanavilla on October 25, 2007.