Celebrating Diwali

​

Spread over five days, Diwali is a celebration of good conquering evil, and light overcoming dark. The religious festival originates in India, and is marked around the world by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. This marble-and-gold-leaf temple is a central worship place for Sikhs, who visit during Diwali to celebrate "Bandi Chhor Divas." This day coincides with Diwali, but remembers Guru Hargobind and 52 others, who were released from prison in the early 1600s.

​

Diwali remembers the tale of Ramayana, an ancient epic, retold in wall paintings within this Thai temple complex. The story goes that Sita, a reincarnation of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, was stolen by an evil demon called Ravana, and had to be rescued by her husband, Lord Rama. The second day of Diwali celebrates Lord Rama's success in defeating the demon.

​This temple honors the goddess Lakshmi, considered a key protagonist within this festive season. According to the Hindu faith, the third day of Diwali is known as Lakshmi Puja, and is a time when the goddess is worshipped. Associated with good fortune, she is welcomed into homes with rangoli, patterns drawn with flowers and chalks in doorways. Following in the footsteps of those who lit candles to guide Lord Rama and Sita home, simple clay lamps called diyas are lit during Diwali, guiding Lakshmi into homes.

​A large East Indian and Hindu population makes this Carribean island a popular destination to celebrate Diwali. Many shows and social gatherings take place over the 5-day period. This temple features a gigantic statue of Lord Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god who helped Lord Rama defeat the evil Ravana.

​Honoring Lord Rama and Sita, this temple is found in the ancient city said to be the same that they returned to after 14 years of exile. In the past, this key site has staged water shows and large-scale reenactments of the Ramayana along the nearby river Sarayu.