Celebrating the festival of lights

Diwali is one of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, which symbolises the spiritual ‘victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance’. During the celebration, temples, homes, shops and office buildings are brightly illuminated. The preparations, and rituals, for the festival typically last five days, with the climax occurring on the third day coinciding with the darkest night of the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika.

In the lead-up to Diwali, celebrants will prepare by cleaning, renovating, and decorating their homes and workplaces. During the climax, revellers adorn themselves in their finest clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes with diyas (oil lamps or candles), offer puja (worship) to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth, and partake in family feasts, where mithai (sweets) and gifts are shared. Diwali is also a major cultural event for the Hindu and Jain diaspora from the Indian subcontinent. Some other faiths in India also celebrate their respective festivals alongside Diwali.

During the festival, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs illuminate their homes, temples and work spaces with diyas, candles and lanterns. Hindus, in particular, have a ritual oil bath at dawn on each day of the festival.Diwali is also marked with fireworks and the decoration of floors with rangoli designs. The festival is an annual homecoming and bonding period not only for families, but also for communities and associations, particularly those in urban areas, which will organise activities, events and gatherings.

Many towns organise community parades and fairs with parades or music and dance performances in parks. MODA Mall is inviting its visitors to join in the Diwali celebrations being hosted in the Jewellery Court of the mall. Celebrating India’s rich cultural heritage, MODA Mall’s Diwali Festival on until November 8th, embodies the festive spirit with a showcase of vibrant lights, traditional sweets, live entertainment and shopping for the entire family.

As part of its Diwali Festival, MODA Mall has been entertaining its visitors with lively amalgamations of Violin, Mridangam, Flute, Sitar and Tabla recitals and Jugalbandi over the past few days. With additional performances lined up by various artists, visitors will be treated to Sitar, Flute and Mridangam recitals on November 6th between 5 – 6 pm; Violin and Mridangam performances on November 7th at 8.30 pm followed by a special poetry programme in English and Arabic with performances by various poets from Bahrain Writers’ Circle.