In India, the festival of Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, of course evil, of knowledge over ignorance. For five noisy and bright days, the Hindus feast with strength and brilliance. Hundreds of candles adorn the windows and parapets of the houses, rangolis made of colored powders are drawn on their thresholds, the tables are crumbling under sweets, light garlands adorn the entrance to the temples, firecrackers and fireworks explode all over the place. night. On this occasion, the Hindus get together as a family to have fun, dress up in new outfits and exchange gifts.
In the days leading up to Diwali, India is holding its breath.
The housewives arm themselves with brooms, brushes, wolf heads to track down the smallest spider's web, to remove the smallest speck of dust.
The cupboards are emptied, the linen beaten clean, the dishes washed.
Here, the big cleaning takes place on Diwali, the feast of renewal.
Those who live far from their families begin their journey to the land of the origins.
Trains, planes, buses are stormed in a chaotic and joyful atmosphere.
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A divine celebration with mysterious origins
If the origin of Diwali is religious, no theologian, priest or guru can say with certainty which legend it relates to. For some, Diwali marks the victory of the god Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, over the demon Ravana. The latter kidnaps the beautiful Sita, the wife of Rama, to keep her prisoner in his kingdom of Lanka. Rama raises an army of monkeys led by Hanuman and builds a bridge between Rameswaram and the island of Sri Lanka. Together, they succeed in defeating the demon and taking back Sita. The inhabitants of Ayodyah, the home of Rama and Sita, hear about the victory and light many oil lamps to indicate the way back.
For others, if the holiday is celebrated on the new moon day of the month of Kartika, it is because it is the birthday of the goddess Lakshmi.
Finally, in certain states of southern India, it is preferred to think that this festival pays homage to Krishna, another avatar of the god Vishnu, who freed 16,000 women held hostage by an evil king.
But all Hindus agree that Diwali is the most important holiday on the religious calendar, the one that marks the start of the new year.
Read also India: itinerary, budget, safety ... All our advice for preparing your trip
Five days of celebration
Diwali is also the festival of lights.
Hindus light up every room in the house to ward off the darkness of the darkest night of the year.
DIBYANGSHU SARKAR / AFP
The date of Diwali changes every year. It is determined according to the position of the new moon in the month of Kartika, straddling the months of October and November in the Gregorian calendar. On the first day of the festival, Dhanteras, the final preparations are completed. The clay cups are filled with oil to burn, the rangolis are drawn, the house is immaculate, in order to please Lakshmi, the goddess of abundance. You buy a piece of jewelry or a small object in gold or silver to attract good fortune. On the second day, we celebrate Krishna who freed the world from fear by defeating Narakasura, and we rest.
On Amavasya day, Hindus put on their finery and women adorn themselves with their jewelry. They go to the temple of Lakshmi to attract his good graces. They light up every room in the house to fend off the darkness of the darkest night of the year. Firecrackers and fireworks resonate all night long, to such an extent that a city like Delhi has banned their use in order to limit the pollution caused by millions of explosions. The fourth day is dedicated to abundance. Food is offered to the poor and to the gods, and we stuff ourselves with barfi, laddoos, gulab jamun and other sweets. On the fifth day, Bhai Dooj, the sisters pray for their brothers and apply tilak to their foreheads. In return, they give them a gift to their sister.
Read also New Delhi street food version: sweet or savory, these delicacies to taste on the go
Where to celebrate Diwali?
In
Jaipur
.
Buildings and squares are lit up for Diwali and the city presents a prize to the best decorated market.
The electricity bill is taken over by the government of Rajasthan on this day.
In Varanasi.
India's holiest city lights up its ghats with thousands of oil lamps.
Women come to pour milk into the Ganges in homage to the god Ganesh, who illustrates wisdom and prosperity.
In Calcutta.
The capital of West Bengal stands out by celebrating Kali, the goddess of death.
A 16th-century scholar associated the celebration of the goddess with the festival of lights in an attempt to soften her image.
In Goa.
The former Portuguese colony carries Krishna in worship.
For Diwali, Goanese build large effigies of Nakasura, which are burnt on Diwali day.
Read alsoOur 5 tips for discovering Goa
And in Paris ...
This year La Maison de India of the Cité Universitaire reserves its singing and dancing shows for its residents only.
But you can go to the Sivan Parvathi temple in La Courneuve to participate in the poojas (offering rites) with the faithful.
You can also stock up on sweets at Ganesha Sweets in the tenth arrondissement.
They will explain to you in detail the different “mithais”, Indian delicacies.
ADDRESSES
Sivan Parvathi Temple
, 159 rue Paul Vaillant-Couturier, 93130 La Courneuve.
Open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Phone.
: 01 48 36 26 73. Metro: La Courneuve - May 8, 1945.
Ganesha Sweets
, 16 rue Perdonnet, 75010 Paris.
Open from 10 am to 9 pm.
