Nepal: The Festival of Lights

By chance, our time in Nepal fell over the Festival of Lights, called Deepawali, or also called Diwali. It's a festival celebrated by Hindus all over the world. Many of the people in the countries we're visiting follow the religion of Hinduism, such as in Mauritius, Nepal, India, and Malaysia, so I was excited to see this beautiful festival and learn more about the colourful religion. Here are a few things that I learned.

Deepawali takes place each year between mid-October and mid-November depending on the phase of the moon and the Hindu calendar. It lasts five days, and each day carries its own significance.

In Nepal, the first day worships the crow, and offerings are made because they are seen as divine messengers. On the second day, dogs are given food and are worshipped for their honesty. The third day is when Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth comes to visit homes that have been lit up. People place burning candles outside their doorsteps leading inside homes and businesses to welcome her in. The fourth day is the first day of the New Year, and the fifth day is a special day where brothers and sisters meet and exchange gifts. It was difficult to find stores and restaurants that were open this day because it was a day to visit families.

Throughout the festival, children go carolling in the evenings and receive gifts of money, rice, and fruit. They donate some of the money they receive to charity after the festival, and use the rest to go on a family picnic.

It was such a beautiful festival with colourful flags hung, and paintings done on the street out of grains of rice, seeds, glitter, and, of course, paint.

Mr Elder getting blessed and receiving a tika by a Hindu priest.
It represents the 'third eye' and is a sign of protection.