Queensburgh family gears up for Diwali, festival of lights
Saturday 14 November is the date on which Diwali is celebrated this year
GRANDMOTHER Jean Reddy is eagerly anticipating Diwali which this year is celebrated on 14 November.
According to Perci Thaver, who usually spends his spare time organising cultural events including dance and music recitals for the Queensburgh community, Diwali is an often ‘misunderstood festival’.
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“Diwali is a major Hindu festival which brings together families and friends,” he explains adding that the word for the day itself, Diwali is a word which stems from a sanskrit word, Deepavali” which translates into ‘a row of lights’ in English.
“On the evening of Diwali, Hindu homes light a row of lamps to illuminate not only the surroundings but the hearts and minds of all with joy and happiness. It is a festival which reminds us that light dispels darkness,” said Thaver.
Tradition
Jean, a devout and proud Hindu of the community, lights a lamp every day as she strives to teach and pass the traditions of Hinduism onto her granddaughters.
“Light symbolises knowledge and it is knowledge that is believed by Hindus to remove ignorance just as light removes darkness,” she explained.
Akaira Naidoo (15) said she always looks forward to the wonderful atmosphere of the holiday.
“It is a time full of goodness and purity in which everyone will be in a happy mood,” she explained adding that this year she plans to donate pet-food to pet rescue operations to remove the perception that Diwali is only about fireworks.
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Nine-year-old Diamera Reddy said she most looks forward to participating in the preparation of sweetmeats to share with all her friends and family.
“When I am grown up, I would like to use Diwali to light up the lives of many people, especial those who are poor and homeless children,” Diamera Reddy (9)
The youngest of Jean’s three granddaughters, Kai Natae Naidoo, aged six said she loves to reflect on the stories surrounding the origins of Diwali, a festival which commemorates the return of the Hindu Lord Rama.
Reddy said she hopes everyone in the Queensburgh community has a joyous and enjoyable Diwali.
“Diwali should give us the strength and the zeal to carry on with our work and goodwill for the rest of the year and promises us success and prosperity,” she said.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
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At the time of publication, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
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