Diwali is nearly here at last, but amidst the joy and celebrations, don’t forget to look after your own personal wellness and wellbeing! Diwali is celebrated for a number of different reasons, some of which are religious and some of which are mythological. Some say that the day is a celebration of the defeat of evil demon Narakasura, whilst others say that Diwali is celebrated to honour the victory of King Rama over the Lankan king Ravana and his return to Ayodhya.
Also known as ‘the festival of lights’, Diwali signifies the ongoing triumph of good over evil, and is a festival filled with joy, warmth, light, laughter and celebration. It is a time when all Indians come together, wherever they are in the world, to celebrate with gusto.
During the season, people decorate their houses with vibrant colours, and the sky is often alight with amazing fireworks. People eat special, traditional sweets and enjoy rich food with family and friends. Of course, as with any situation in life, there are always downsides too, and Diwali has a fair few downsides of its own.
Consumerism is one of them, and many feel uncomfortable with the fact that such a huge level of spending goes into Diwali in a country which has massive levels of poverty, where people struggle to stay alive through lack of food and basic amenities and where many do not even have access to a basic education. Some feel that gluttony and buying sprees make a mockery of the real state of life for some in India.
Firecrackers are also a bit of a problem. The rockets and sparklers bring joy to many, but air pollution can cause huge problems, such as setting off asthma attacks. The noise pollution caused by them can also be distressing for more vulnerable members of society, and pets.