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Diwali festivals light up the world

<p dir="ltr">Celebrations of Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, has seen homes across India and elsewhere in the world light up with colour as many gathered to celebrate it for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.</p> <p dir="ltr">For Hindus and Jains, Diwali symbolises the victory of light over darkness and commemorates the return of Lord Ram to the Ayodhya kingdom after 14 years of exile.</p> <p dir="ltr">It’s a time of gift-giving and celebrating with friends and family at mandirs (Hindu temples) or at home, with spaces decorated with oil lamps, candles, fireworks and intricate rangoli designs in doorways.</p> <p dir="ltr">While the festivities are due to end on Wednesday, the celebration reached its peak on Monday, the darkest day of the year.</p> <p dir="ltr">On Sunday night, more than 1.5 million lamps were lit and kept burning for 45 minutes at Ram ki Paidi in the city of Ayodhya, beating last year’s World Guinness Record of 900,000 lamps staying lit.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ahead of Sunday’s event, the city was decked out in fairy lights and a laser and fireworks show illuminated the lanes and riverbanks.</p> <p dir="ltr">The festivities weren’t just restricted to Ayodhya either, with celebrations occurring around the world.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Sikh community celebrated a different festival called Bandi Chhor Divas, or the Day of Liberation, which marked the day that the religion’s sixth teacher, Guru Hargobind, led 52 princes out of prison to Amritsar, a city in the north-western Indian state of Punjab.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5a9c086f-7fff-3f66-a77e-8ff307af47cb"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The two-day festival serves as a reminder of the importance of freedom and civil rights, with the second day coinciding with Diwali.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty Images</em></p>

International Travel

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This is India’s most magical and important festival

<p>Participate in one of India’s most magical festivals.</p> <p><strong>What is it?</strong></p> <p>A brightly-coloured celebration of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, Diwali is celebrated by millions of people across the world every year. It coincides with Hindu New Year, however it is also observed by people who follow Sikhism and Jainism. People pray for prosperity and for blessing from two prominent deities, Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) and Ganesh (the god of good fortune and auspicious beginnings).</p> <p><strong>Where should I celebrate it?</strong></p> <p>In India! This is a country known for its over-the-top celebrations and Diwali is one of the biggest. It is a national festival, so wherever you are you will find celebrations in full swing – there will be street parties, fireworks, music, dinners and more. It is the local equivalent of Christmas, the highlight of the holiday season that brings families together.</p> <p>Preparations begin in the lead up to Diawli, when all houses are rigorously cleaned and decorated with fairy lights, lanterns and special patterns created with coloured rice or powder. The lanterns are to guide the goddess Lakshmi into the home, bringing wealth withb her. People also wear new clothes, bought specially for the festival. Gift giving is an integral part of Diwali and the most popular are sweets, known as mithai. The shops will be filled with barfi (fudge), gulab jammuns (fried dough balls) and rasgullas (cream cheese balls flavoured with rosewaters). Every night, the streets are filled with the sound of exploding fireworks and firecrackers. The festival culimates with the Bhaiyadooj or Feast to Brothers. This is a celebration of the bond between siblings and sisters will host a special meal to honour their brothers.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HrrW3rO51ak" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>When is it?</strong></p> <p>Diwali varies according to the Hindu lunar calendar, though is always during the months of October and November. In 2017, Diwali begins on Thursday October 19 and runs for five days.</p> <p>Have you ever experienced Diwali?</p>

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