Diwali or the festival of lights is being celebrated especially by the Hindu community in the country. The festive season usually falls between October and November on the Hindu Lunar Calendar. This time, the Diwali festival in Bhutan was marked from Sunday until Thursday. Behind the glitzy and colourful festival, there lies a strong spiritual significance.
The word Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means a row or a string of lights. This auspicious Hindu festival marks the triumph of good over evil or light over darkness.
According to the pandits, light is a metaphor for knowledge and consciousness, so this festival is celebrated as the festival of lights.
The Hindu festive occasion kick-started on Sunday. Each of the five days is very auspicious.
“Firstly we are celebrating crow festival, secondly we are celebrating dog festival, thirdly we are celebrating cow festival, fourthly we are celebrating ox festival and on the fifth and the last day, we are celebrating brother festivals. All animals, birds and humans are equal and the same, and similarly, we have to give respect to others to have the same in return,” explains Dilli Ram Subedi, a Hindu pandit in Tsirang.
During the festival, the Hindu community also performs prayer ceremonies for Goddess Lakshmi to accumulate wealth thereby becoming prosperous.
Historically, Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama, his wife and his brother from their 14-year exile and their defeat of the 10-headed demon King Ravana.
Diwali is considered one of the biggest and most popular Hindu festivals and is celebrated in most parts of the world.
Pema Lhaden
