Let’s shine brightly during the Festival of Light

The festival of lights, or simply known as Deepavali, is one of the major festivals of the Hindu community. It is also known as Diwali, Divali or Dipavali. Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists celebrate this festival. Its climax occurs on the darkest night of the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika. This day usually falls around mid-October or mid-November.

Deepavali means ‘rows of lights’, it symbolizes the spiritual ‘victory of light over darkness’, During the festival, celebrants will brightly illuminate temples, homes, shops, offices and buildings with lights and candles (also known as Diyas). They will worship Lakshmi, the Goddess of Prosperity and Wealth, wear their finest clothes, light fireworks and participate in family feasts.

In Malaysia, days before the festival, Hindus clean their houses from top to bottom, then they will draw a ‘Kolam’ (an intricate floral design on the ground which signifies religious beliefs) on the floor. During the day of the festival, many Hindus will wake up before sunrise to perform a ritual herbal oil bath. After that, they will put on new clothes and head out to temples for prayers.

Celebrants will spend the rest of the day giving away sweets and cakes to neighbors and friends. Some Hindus will also organize ‘open house’ for their non-Hindu friends.

This year, Deepavali falls on the 27th of October, which is a Saturday. A public holiday will be replaced on Monday, the 28th of October.

We at Net Onboard would like to wish everyone Happy Deepavali. May the light of Deepavali shine brightly upon all of us, paving the way to a year of great health, success, and happiness.