Locals look lit for the festival of lights

ONE of the greatest traits that we, as a nation, can portray in this day and age, is diversity.

South Africans are evolving every day into a more diverse and integrated country and cultural diversity continues to be one of our strongest assets. This diversity and tolerance for our fellow citizens and their beliefs can be witnessed most evidently on special occasions such as Christmas, Heritage Day, Eid-al-Adha and Diwali, to name just a few.

Last Thursday saw the celebration of Diwali take place, with the Hindu population honouring the age old tradition across the country. Vryheid was no exception.

Local Hindus celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, which includes the lighting of small lamps called diyas, candles and fireworks around their homes to symbolise knowledge over ignorance, light over darkness and the victory of good over evil, as well as to invite good luck and prosperity from the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi and the God Ganesh, who represents good luck, wealth and enlightenment.

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For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most significant days of the year, and involves spending time with family and performing traditional activities. Families clean their homes from top to bottom so that when the lamps are lit it will be suitable for the Goddess of wealth and knowledge, Lakshmi, to enter their home and bless them with good fortune for the upcoming year, as well as the God of good luck, Ganesh.

The women dress in their finest traditional attire for this celebration and the festivities include sharing of traditional Indian sweet and savoury treats and the opportunity to socialise and feast with loved ones.

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