Guest Author - Deborah Barocas
Diwali is the Festival of lights, prayers are offered, elaborate feasts are prepared, and gifts are exchanged. For Hindus, the festival holds a special meaning. It represents Lord Rama's victory as the King of Ayodhya after his return to the kingdom from 14 years of exile along with his wife Sita & brother Laxman after killing the demon, King Ravana.
Diwali also celebrates three goddesses, Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati. Lakshmi’s blessings are essential in making lives prosperous, fruitful as well as peaceful. It is said that she blesses her believers with health, wealth, friendships, and more.
Kali-Chudash which is the day before Diwali is dedicated to Maha Kali whose strength is very much sought after, in order to maintain wealth, strength, physical, mental and spiritual well being as well as prosperity. Diwali the day itself, is dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati to maintain knowledge.
The day before Diwali matters greatly to the rich population of India. Homes and business are decorated while doorways are adorned with colorful motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights of that week to welcome her. Small footprints are drawn in the color vermilion to show her that she is welcomed and her arrival is being met with great anticipation and glory.
Celebration can last up to a week in some parts of India. Dias are lit everywhere and people even adorn their cows, mules, and sheep with motifs in celebration. The festival is celebrated by lighting dias and candles to drive away the darkness of Amavasya. Celebration for Diwali is very elaborate. In the Caribbean, the traditions are kept up like the old country, it’s jhandi flags, lighting of the dias, cooking, chanting, and prayer. I remember going to my friends home, and having lapsi with puri, parsad, and many types of vegetable curries served in a lotus or taro leaf. It was divine eating by many standards for a divine holiday.
So this past Saturday, Hindus all over the world celebrated Diwali, and I was invited over to my friend Chan Jairams’ home to help her prepare the Diwali feast. It was truly an honor and a great pleasure. We made Kheer also known as rice pudding, polourie, pakoras, dhal puri, vegetable curries, and parsad. These foods were to be shared and enjoyed by family and friends, and some of it offered to the gods. These recipes will make it into my cook book, so I decided to post at least one of them ahead of time. This recipe for Kheer is very creamy, and while it is sweet, it isn’t overly sweet. Happy Diwali to all of you. For a slide show of preparations for this great holiday, please click on the link below. Namaste!
