Deepavali is around the corner and the buzz has already
begun. For the Indian community, there is the excitement of preparing for this
event. Deepavali is the celebration of
the good triumphing over evil.
Apart from buying new garments and preparing delicacies and
food for visitors, some will have beautiful kolams outside their front doors.
The kolams welcome the Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity.
The kolams vary in size and are very colourful, drawn using
rice flour and rice dyed in various colors.
Some designs can be very intricate.
The shopping malls have large ones.
Rituals are part of the celebration and an oil bath is de
riguer. It symbolizes cleansing. The celebrants don new garments and welcome
guests who visit their homes and join in the celebrations. There is much good
will and bon homie at these open houses (a practice common in Malaysia where
friends and friends of friends drop by to enjoy the company and the food).
Oil lamps are lit and placed on the kolams. You can also find oil lamps in the homes of
the Hindu community. The lights from these lamps are a reminder of one’s inner
light. Light is a metaphor for
consciousness and knowledge.
Here's wishing my friends Happy Deepavali!
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