Covid-19 and Diwali Festival

 India is a country of festivals. Every year Indians celebrate more than 24 festivals and every festival is beautiful and different on its own. It starts from 14th january which is Makar Sankranti celebration and this festival has various names in different states like Pongal in Tamilnadu, Lohri in Punjab, Uttarayan in Gujarat. And ends with Chhath Puja which is mainly celebrated in Bihar and some parts of UP.

Diwali is one of the Indian festivals which is celebrated  in Kartik month according to Hindu calendars. In 2021 Diwali will be celebrated on the 4th of november. This festival has a lot of importance for we Indians. Each year, Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world celebrate Diwali. The festival symbolizes new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness.

Festivities usually last for five days, and include gathering with family members, sharing tasty food, watching spectacular fireworks and visiting temples.

Streets, houses, shops and public buildings are decorated with small oil lamps made from clay called "diyas," illuminating them with a warm, festive glow.

Now we will see why this festival is so important for Indians with Vijay Dalwani. 

“This part of the festival acknowledges the Hindu god Lord Rama and the legend of his return to his kingdom after fourteen years in exile. Light symbolizes purity, good luck and power” says Vijay Dalwani.

Hindus in cities and villages across the world also believe that during Diwali the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, will visit their homes if they are illuminated, clean and beautifully decorated.

Lakshmi puja, which involves a prayer ritual, is also a significant part of Hindu religion. It's a time to give thanks and pray for a good harvest.

But the year 2020 started on a gloomy note, with an unknown virus (SARS-CoV-2) spreading through nations like wildfire, bringing the whole world to a standstill. People isolated themselves inside their homes and lived in anxiety and uncertainty for the longest time. While the fight with the virus is far from over, we all have learned to live with it and are trying to resume our pre-pandemic lives in the new normal. 

But how does this COVID impact our favourite Indian festival for the last 2 years? 

And, will it be bright as always or flicker due this year after the 2nd wave of this Covid-19 pandemic?

Let’s find out with Vijay Dalwani.

Wearing the finest of clothes, hopping from one Diwali party to another, personally delivering Diwali greetings to relatives and friends, getting stuck for hours in traffic with the car full of gifts and goodies has been a common Diwali feeling for the past many years. But 2020 and 2021 are different.

“While parties haven’t died down, their grandness has to some extent. Many event planners shared that while some people are still hosting parties, the guest list has been trimmed considerably. People are inviting a select few for Diwali parties and are mostly sending Diwali greetings through courier” says Vijay Dalwani.

There are people who are trying to retain some sense of celebratory spirit during this time of the year.

According to Vijay Dalwani “Many cities have banned use of firecrackers owing to the increasing levels of air pollution, because the doctors fear that the combined effect of COVID and air pollution can spell havoc for the public”. 

Many people have decided to keep it low key, worried about their elderly parents or young children. While in the given conditions, this may not be all wrong, there are ways we can still celebrate the festival of lights and wish for prosperity and happiness all around the world.

Make sure you do not attend or host a large gathering this year too.

Spend quality time as a family and prepare Diwali feasts at home and decorate the house with lights and diyas.

Courier Diwali greetings to friends and family.

Dress up for the occasion and click lots of pictures to share with loved ones.