Diwali: India’s festival of light comes to Abuja

Diwali is one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated by many people and communities of Indian origin across the world. It is a celebration that cuts across all ages, social strata and involves schools, community groups, Hindu associations, Indian organizations and businesses. According to the BBC website, the holiday has different meanings to Hindus depending […]

Diwali is one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated by many people and communities of Indian origin across the world. It is a celebration that cuts across all ages, social strata and involves schools, community groups, Hindu associations, Indian organizations and businesses.

According to the BBC website, the holiday has different meanings to Hindus depending on where they live. “In northern India, Diwali commemorates Rama’s return to India after defeating the demon king Ravana and getting his girl Sita back. In Nepal, it celebrates Krishna defeating his demon foe, Narakaasura. In Gujarat, it honors the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi.” Regardless of this variance, for everyone, Diwali signifies the renewal of life.

Diwali, also called the ‘Festival of Lights’ is celebrated to honor Rama-chandra, the seventh avatar (incarnation of the god Vishnu). “It is believed that on this day Rama returned to his people after 14 years of exile during which he fought and won a battle against the demons and the demon king, Ravana. People lit their houses to celebrate his victory over evil (light over darkness).

Lakshmi, the goddess of happiness and good fortune, is also a feature in the celebration. “It is believed that she roams the earth on Diwali and enters the house that is pure, clean, and bright. Commemorating the day differs according to communities but its significance and spiritual meaning is generally ‘the awareness of the inner light’.

Just as streets, homes, shops and other business premises are adorned with decorations in Nigeria during the Christmas season, “In India, homes are adorned with candles, lamps and all sorts of fancy lightings,” said Mr. Vikram Jamwal, Director Business Development of the Transcorp Hilton, where the event held.

“The celebration is traced back to about seven thousand years ago when one of the Indian gods went to the forest and came back after fourteen years. Upon his return, he was welcomed by a grand display of lights.

“Many stores sell jewelry and traditional outfits, like chiffon saris, incense and statues of Hindu deities which are used to offer prayers at this time of the year.

“It is usually celebrated eighteen days after Dusshera, a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. The common practice is to light small oil lamps called diyas and place them around the home, in courtyards, verandahs, and gardens, as well as on roof-tops and outer walls,” he added.

Symbols of the day include the use of ‘mehendi’ a temporary flowery decoration from henna on their hands by women and girls. Another common feature is the well ornamented jewelry the female folk wear, layering their necks and down to their shoulders in some cases. These are complemented by embroidered silk outfits.

Various lights, candles and sparklers are lit on Diwali. Some communities organize firework displays.

The day started for many of the guests with an early morning rise to take baths in perfumed oil, lighting candles around their homes, feasting with family, buying fancy new clothes, exchanging sweets and other gifts. It climaxed with the evening feast with Indian cuisine, choreographed dances and solo performances by the children.

Appetites of the guests were first aroused by traditional choreographed Indian dances, hip hop performances followed by solo guitar and vocal renditions by the children.

The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria Shri Sachdev in his remark said, it was fascinating to see the Indian community in Abuja in their splendid colours. He said it was necessary to acknowledge the efforts that went into ensuring the event took place and prayed for more of such activities in the future.

Raising applauses was the choreography performance by young girls some in oversized shoes whom not withstanding of this, danced and swirled the waists to familiar Indian sounds bringing nostalgia to all present who could relate to their acts.

Against what many Nigerians believed that Indian dance was all about dancing behind flowers and holding hands the performances gave a whole new dimension to those views.

According to the hotel’s new general manager, Mr. Etienne- Charles Gailliez, “With the Hilton being an international hotel, we celebrate all the communities in Nigeria. One of this is the Indian community. Diwali originally should have been celebrated on November 13th but because of the meetings and activities in Abuja in the coming week, we decided to celebrate it on Saturday, November 10.

“We hope to make it an annual event. The party is open to everybody, not just Indians and traditionally it is celebrated with exchange of gifts between family and friends,” he said.

Gailliez added that, “Being a celebration of light it is symbolic to extend this celebration beyond the boundaries of family.”

Jamwal an Indian explained that, “as the centre point of Abuja is Transcorp there is need to unite the different cultures here. This is why every month we have different cultural activities. Asides the amusement and entertainment such events are meant to promote the Nigerian culture as well as get people to know about cultures of others.

He added that the hotel will continue with its cultural activities, “like Operabuja which comes up on December 1st. We have collaborations with the Abuja branch of the Society of Nigerian Artists to have visual art events here and also contribute to the growth of art in Abuja.”

According to Jamwal, Diwali is India’s biggest festival. “In India there will be candles lit all over the street. Each family will have candles in front of their houses. There will also be fire works. I went out shopping for my boys today.

“About three thousand Indian families reside in Abuja and about half that population was represented at the event. Doing this here reinforces the fact that Transcorp Hilton Abuja is where things happen.”

For many it was a day which felt like home away from home as they danced away to songs by various Indian artistes.