Festivals Of Light - An Enlivening Cultural Treat

A Multi-Cultural Treat

- Hema Rajaraman

When the hot days of summer and the wet days of the rainy season are behind us, the days are shorter and the nights longer. The festival of Lights is perfectly timed to usher in the cool weather. It is the time to open our hearts, windows, and doors to welcome Goddess Lakshmi by lighting lamps and dispelling the darkness of the new moon night, along with the ignorance within us.

Over the centuries, Deepawali has become a national festival that is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith; Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs.

Let us take a dip into some of the Deepawali traditions in parts of India.

1. DEEPAWALI AMONGST THE LAMBANIS

Lambanis are nomadic tribes found in large numbers in the central districts of Chitradurga, Davanagere, and Bellary in Karnataka. They are a hard-working tribe, steeped in their unique tradition and culture.

In these Lambani settlements known as ‘Tandas’, Deepawali is celebrated by unmarried girls. Men and married women are not allowed to participate.

The girls dressed in traditional attire start with the worship of Goddess Lakshmi on the new moon day. They carry traditional oil lamps to the village chief’s house and worship the deity there.