1981: Family celebrates Diwali
In 1981, the 91Èȱ¬ Programme Watch joined a family for Diwali as they prepared traditional food, decorated their house with lights and made artistic rangoli patterns outside their front door to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
Diwali is the Festival of Lights and marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. It is also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains around the world.
Its name comes from the Sanskrit word ‘dipavali’ meaning 'rows of lighted lamps'.
Diwali is a celebration of victory of light over darkness, of good triumphing over evil. The festival celebrates the story of Rama and Sita’s return home from 14 years of exile and normally lasts over five days. The main celebrations occur on the third day of the festival.
The start of Diwali varies each year as the Hindu calendar is based on the Moon, but it always falls some time between October and November.
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