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Dear Editor,
In less than a week the world will be celebrating Divali one of the most significant Hindu festivals. In this article I will share some of the history of this great festival and the many different aspects that surround its observance.
According to Hindu scriptures the festival Diwali or Dipawali is the biggest and the brightest among all Hindu festivals. It is the festival of lights and brightness. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm not only in India but also all over the world. The title of the festival has two words, deep (light) and avali (a row) which means a row of lights. Mainly the festival is celebrated by lighting lamps everywhere, hence the festival is known as the Dipawali. In Trinidad and Tobago we refer to it as Divali.
The title of the festival means ‘festival of light’; light has so much significance in the celebration. During Dipawali homes, stores, sidewalks and other public places are decorated with small clay oil lamps called diyas. Fire crackers and big lamps called Akashadiwas are lit during the festival.
There are any number of legends for this festival which give stories related to all the rituals of Dipawali. Rama returned to Ayodhya along with Sita and Lakshman from his 14-year long exile by killing Ravana. Hence the delighted subjects of Ayodhya decorated the city by lighting lamps.
Some people believe it to be the celebration of the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on the no moon day of Dipawali. It is said that Vamana, fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu released Lakshmi and other gods from the prison of the Bali. Lakshmi along with Kubera who bestow wealth are worshipped on this day by chanting mantras (sanskrit verse) and performing pooja.
Diwali in Trinidad and Tobago is celebrated by cleaning homes, lighting thousands of deyas (oil lamps) to honor Goddess Lakshmi, and sharing vegetarian meals and sweets like barfi and kurma with family, friends, and neighbours.
A unique aspect is the creation of intricate light displays using bamboo frames, and the week-long Diwali Nagar festival showcases Indo-Trinidadian culture through food, music, dance, and performances. The holiday is’a national public holiday, with many businesses and schools closing, and is often celebrated with fireworks and the sharing of gifts. Diwali is a time of love and unity, it encourages peace and love throughout.
May the light and philosophy of Diwali guide us to become the best that we can be, and to unite all of us so that we can make Trinidad and Tobago the best, safest and most united country in the world.
On behalf of my family and myself Shubh Diwali 2025.
 Nigel Seenathsingh
San Fernando
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