Celebrating Diwali

Autumn festivities

I am an Indian, Bengali to be more precise. India is a culmination of various, versatile culture and religious and in West Bengal there’s a saying,’ thirteen festivals in twelve months.’

Autumn is the time of festivities in West Bengal. The city dresses up like royalty. We all look forward to October like a beacon of hope and warmth. If you ever fly to India during this time at night, before landing in Kolkata airport, you will see the whole city is lit in the dark night.

Worship

You will hear sound of Dhak’s frantic rhythm that enhances the festive atmosphere, usher in the arrival of goddess and signify victory.

Maa Kali is worshiped as a divine mother goddess of darkness, destruction and death. The goddess stride over recumbent Siva. Her neckless is formed of severed heads and in her arms, she holds a severed hear and a sword. Her skirt is composed of severed arms. Her skin is often black, her bright red eyes are set deep into her head and her distinctive tongue lolls lasciviously from her mouth to signify the lust of blood of evil.

Kali Puja aka Diwali

We celebrate Kali Puja or widely known as Diwali on new moon by lighting diyas, participating in puja, playing with fireworks and having feast with family. The best and beautiful part is at pitch black evening when you go on the rooftop you will see every home is illuminated with diyas (candles) and decorated with lights.

A bit different but kind of similar to trick or treating, I would say the gift giving culture on Diwali. People invite others over and they exchange gifts over feasts, mostly sweets and dry fruits. We dress up in beautiful outfits for pandal hopping or cultural events.

The timing of Halloween and Diwali are the same as well as some key concepts, except we pray for darkness to be defeated and welcome a new start by celebrating the darkest night of the year and worshiping divine femininity in it’s raw and destructive form.