The significance of Diwali – The Festival of Lights

Diwali is the festival of lights celebrated by millions of Hindus across the world.

The festival, which coincides with the Hindu New Year, celebrates new beginnings, the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

The Diwali illuminations with lighted diyas bring the supernatural brightness and joy with the hope of finding light in darkness, achieving knowledge where there is ignorance, and spreading love amidst hatred.

Light is significant in Hinduism because it signifies goodness. So, during the Festival of Lights, traditional   ‘earthen lamps’ with cotton wicks and oil is lit and placed around the house to decorate it. While each faith has its own reason to celebrate the festival, one of the most popular stories told is the legend of  Rama and his wife Sita returning to their kingdom in northern India from exile after defeating the demon king Ravanna in the 15th century BC.

Some of the festivities include:

• Traditional Dress: Diwali is a time to “dress for excess,” and you should choose apparel that reflects the themes of light and illumination. Females also decorate their hands with henna.

• The celebration of food: Indian sweets which come in a range of colours and flavours are most popular.

Below are a few recipes of popular Indian treats that are made during Diwali:

BURFEE RECIPE (This is a traditional sweet made during Diwali)

You will need:

• 500g Klim Milk Powder
• 1 1⁄4 cup Sugar
• 1 cup Water
• 155g Nestlé Dessert Cream
• 1⁄2 cup Nibbed Almonds
• 1tsp Elachi Powder
• Coloured Nibbed Almonds for Decorations

Method

• Boil sugar and water to form a syrup
• Mix klim and cream
• Blend in a food processor until fine and then put it through a sieve
• Add elechi powder and nibbed almonds
• Add klim mixture into the syrup and mix
• Pour into a greased and lined container
• Add coloured almonds and press in with the back of a spoon
• Allow to set before cutting into pieces, you can also pipe this mixture

RECIPE FOR JALEBI

You will need:
For Batter 

• All Purpose Flour – 1/2 cup
• Gram Flour (Besan) – 1 tsp
• Yeast – 1/2 tsp
• Sugar – 1/2 tsp
• Cardomom Powder – 1/4 tsp
• Warm Water – 1/3 cup (or as required)
• Oil – to make dough

For Syrup

• Sugar – 1 cup
• Water – 1/2 cup
• Cardomom Powder – 1/4 tsp
• Saffron – 1/4 tsp
• Lemon Juice (optional) – 1/2 tsp (I add it since I like them to be with a little sour taste)