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Cover Story
FireFlyz ~ 13
• Hinduism is the major religion of India
and is thought to be the oldest religion
in the world.
• Housewives and women of the
household consider it auspicious to do
a ‘Spring Clean’ so that the house is
spotless before the entering of a New
Year.
• It is an old tradition that gambling
at the time of the Hindu New Year is
good luck and brings prosperity to the
forthcoming year.
• More than 800 million people
celebrate this festival in various ways.
• It is the most famous, biggest and
brightest festival of India, and is
celebrated for five days.
• Sikhs also celebrate Deepavali, as it
marks the release of their gurji – Guru
Hargobind Sahibji – and 52 other
kings and princess of India that were
made captives by the mogul emperor
Shah Jahan.
• In business terms, Deepavali signals a
new term for businesses as they open
new accounting books and farmers
end the harvest season with Deepavali
signalling the onset of winter.
• Hindus all over the world, and
especially in India celebrate the
festival by exchanging gifts, wearing
new clothes and preparing festive
meals.
• Idols of Lord Ganesh and Goddess
Lakshmi are placed side by side for
the prayers and rituals. Lord Ganesh
is worshipped first followed by Lord
Lakshmi.
• Similarly to India, Hindus in Britain
celebrate the New Year with fireworks
and the exchanging of gifts including
sweets and dried fruits, before
wearing new clothes and preparing
festive meals.
Fun Facts
Thosewho celebrate Deepavali will
purchase new items for the house or some
jewellery for thewomen of the house,
favouring gold and silver. Gatherings
are held inmany homes where people
spend time catching upwith one another
- relaxing and enjoying thewarmth of
human interaction, while the oil
diyas
continue to burn as a constant symbol of
an illuminatedmind.
Deepavali InMadhyaPradesh
Madhya Pradesh is a state situated
in the centre of India. It was once the
largest state in the country. Deepavali is
celebrated ceremoniously here just like
in any of the other states across India.
During the celebrations, decorations and
lighting can be seen throughout Madhya
Pradesh. Every corner, including the
market, is nicely decoratedwith lighting
bulbs. OnDhan-teras - the day prior to the
night of Deepavali - all shops remain open
throughout the night.
Come Deepavali and all the houses in
Madhya Pradesh are illuminated from
the light of the diyas, candles and electric
lights. The night is further illuminated
with the showering lights of fireworks,
decorating the dark skies with their burst
of colours.
People of the Baiga andGond tribes per-
formtheir traditional dances to celebrate
Deepavali. It is a very common tradition
asmany folk dances are performed in this
region in celebration of the festival. As for
traditional delicacies,
Balushahis
(Indian
buttermilk doughnuts),
khasta
(flaky
doughnuts without holes) are part of the
offerings at Deepavali inMadhya Pradesh.
Regardless of where and how it is
celebrated, Deepavali is a beautiful
celebration that brings people together,
all celebrating the victory of good over
evil, of letting light cut through the
darkness.
Deepavali means ‘rows of
lamps in Sanskrit.
Balushahi is a sweet treat that
is served during the celebrations.
The colourful
rangoli welcoming
the visiting guests.