GEORGE NEWS - Indian music and biryani flavours filled the Rosemoor Old Age Home's hall on Monday evening with the Hindu community's annual Diwali festival - the Festival of Lights*.
Not all the guests were Indian by birth, but they shared in the spirit of this special day.
Diwali, Deepavali, or Divali, is a very important Hindu religious festival which generally lasts five days, and is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika.
"Diwali is not always celebrated on the same day every year, since the Hindu calendar, which works differently, is used to establish a date for this occasion," said Yulisha Naidoo, a guest at the event.
Millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world celebrate Diwali annually as the triumph of good over evil, with beautiful rituals such as festive lights, fireworks, sweet delicacies and family gatherings.
According to Sagree Chetty, Diwali can be seen as the Hindu version of Christmas.
From left are, back: Sophia Stellenblom, Lily Moodley, Nerisha Botha, Rumésa Joubert, Kerishnie Joubert, Geraldine Kennedy and Lauren Isaacs. Front: Bridgette Piya Campher and Janel Fernol. Photo: Michelle Pienaar
The Hindu community started Diwali with a prayer session on Monday, followed by a feast the afternoon. "In Durban we have fireworks for sure," said Naidoo. It is her and her husband's first Diwali in George since they relocated earlier this year.
In one of the main stories in Hindu mythology, Diwali is the day Lord Rama, his wife Sita Devi and brother Lakshmana return to their homeland after 14 years in exile. The villagers lit a path for Rama, who had defeated the demon king Ravana. Reenactments of this story are part of celebrations in some regions (source: Wikipedia).
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