In India, Diwali is celebrated with much grandeur and fanfare. Fiji has many Indians hailing from different states. But this being Fiji, the celebrations have blended giving the celebrations a South Pacific hue. Homes and businesses are lit up with lights that dazzle in the starry night. Fireworks light up the sky in various colors at sundown that you can cherish for a lifetime.
It is the time for relishing delicious sweets and the various mouth-watering recipes that are omnipresent in the days leading to the festival of lights. In Hindu homes, Diwali is celebrated with much pomp and splendor marking the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi. The Hindu Goddess of prosperity. Prayers and ‘pooja’ are held in Hindu homes with sweets offered to Goddess for taking them through troubled times that befall them and allow them to bask in the glory of the Goddess.
Diwali is a very festive time in Fiji and is one of the most fun-loving holidays of the year. In the Hindu calendar. Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama from exile. Diwali, the festival of lights stands for the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and purity over impurity.
The festival of lights takes place on the darkest night (first night of the new moon ) in the month of Kartik in the Hindu calendar. Across India, streets are decked with flowers and garlands. People light small diyas in their homes on this day and it is believed that the deceased come on earth this day and visit their families during this festival. SO the lights are a way to guide the spirits home. The sound of firecrackers is said to drive the evil spirits away.
Families and well-wishers pay a visit on this day and exchange gifts and sweets and settle old business scores and pave the way for unfinished business deals to completion. They encourage peace, harmony and friendship and are told to rid free of anger, jealousy and hatred.
The landmark occasion hailing Diwali in Fiji is celebrated as:
Diwali is celebrated in Fiji with pomp and splendor and the festival of lights leaves its mark in splendid fashion. Thus, it is due to the presence of a huge Indian population in the Fijis. The gaiety is visible in Fiji as much as in India but the Diwali in Fiji takes a minute deviation by holding light-shows instead of lighting diyas. Lot of firecrackers and fun all around marks this day. People of all origins, including Christians and people belonging to other communities congregate during this festival, being the most popular national festival here.
A prominent landmark in Fiji is Raiwasa Private Resorts, a well-known Fiji Luxury Resort that has honed the Diwali custom to its fullest with bursting of firecrackers that lights up the sky in full splendor and adorned with electrifying lights along the length and breadth of the resort, that compliment the scenic beauty of this virgin island.
The story leading to celebrating Diwali is also steeped in mythology. The story goes as on this day, Lord Rama protected his wife Sita, from the evil Ravana and returned home after being banished to a 14 year exile. Candles are lit to commend his triumph, and to light his route home after the fight. At night, it might appear as though the entire of India is lit by thunderous blasts as individuals set off numerous firecrackers.
Fiji takes the cake for hosting the festival of lights with the same wishfulness and joy as anywhere in India and that is no small effort with Diwali being the most popular festival in India and now in FIJI as always.
