Diwali is a five-day celebration which usually falls between October/November and is celebrated in honor of Lakshmi – the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity. It marks the new year in India and works with the lunar Hindu calendar, which is why it’s celebrated on different days each year. People welcome Diwali with hope as this is a time for them to remove negative forces in their lives. Before the celebrations begin, people clean every nook and cranny of their homes and paint the walls in attractive colours.
What is the festival of lights?
According to the Independent, “while each faith has its own reason to celebrate the festival, one of the most popular stories told is the legend of Lord Rama and his wife Sita returning to their kingdom in northern India from exile after defeating the demon king Ravanna in the 15th century BC.” During the festival people light small lamps (called diyas) and use them as decorations outside their homes, it’s also traditional to attend large firework displays. This is done to commemorate the lighting of lamps to guide Lord Rama and his wife from the forest of Ayodhya. For a more in-depth look at the story behind Diwali, read this article.
These decorating ideas are sure to bring a lot of colour into your home
Besides cleansing your home, Diwali is a great time to decorate with lights and show off your creativity. If you want to be creative this year, make your own candle holders out of bright paper to bring in as much colour as possible, or simply wrap washi paper around your candles. You could also make your own candle holder like this one, using different coloured beads. If you want to go all out, make these beautiful paper lanterns. This DIY tiered paper dahlia is a bit more complicated, but worth it in the end.
Where can you celebrate Diwali in South Africa?
South Africa has the largest Indian community outside of India, so it seems fitting to celebrate Diwali in style. The celebrations are relatively similar to those celebrated in Indian. South Africa has events dedicated to Diwali this year in Durban, Gauteng, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. For a full list of the upcoming events follow this link.
Use window frosting as a gift this Diwali
Buying new things during this time is considered to be good. Hindus all over the world celebrate Diwali by exchanging gifts, wearing new clothes and preparing gourmet meals. Celebrate Diwali with us and treat that someone special to a little frosting in their lives. It’s the perfect gift because it will last you a lifetime: our films are backed by a ten-year guarantee. Window frosting will withstand wear and tear: it won’t bubble, peel, crack or fade over time. Rest assured that the product you purchase will withstand the harshest weather as it’s heat and moisture proof. For more information, feel free to download our home renovation guide.