DIYAS - THE FESTIVITY

 

A festival of lights celebrated predominantly by Hindus, Buddhists, Jain, and now by all realms of people. This festival carries its heritage of symbolizing the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. The festival is associated with different Gods and Goddesses and many regional traditions which are followed to date. The five-day festival is celebrated by decorating the houses with rangoli, flowers, and the most important part the “DIYAS '' adorning every corner of the living space. The noteworthiness of the celebration is the array of sweets of different types according to their culture and tradition. Likewise, a lot of money is invested in new clothes and fireworks which creates a mood of festivity. Diwali also marks a great shopping period in India, giving more spark to buy gold jewelry which is considered auspiciously related to wealth and prosperity. It also has cultural exchange by sending official greeting messages and also religious leaders meet world wide on account of this celebration. In India, many companies take Diwali as the beginning of a new financial year. Family gatherings and the exchange of gifts make it a more joyous festival. Diwali, for instance, is always celebrated at home but can be also spent in vibrant places like Delhi, Jaipur, and Varanasi. Diwali is celebrated throughout the country for its reasons, but some have their unique cultural nuances to be sustained always.

 

At school, it enables students to learn the religious practices and cultural differences, and feel valued and respected.

 

In Britto’s, we encourage a multicultural approach towards festivals which makes the students reflect on the role of lights played in most traditional approaches. (Eg) Lighting lamps on Diwali, setting up lights on Christmas trees and candle lighting menorah, and making fanoos lanterns for Ramadan, illustrate the central dogma of light in traditions around the world. As our classrooms become more diverse it is important to acknowledge and include a multitude of cultures and customs in the classroom.

Diwali is the festival of lights, celebrated by the Hindu community inside the country by Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and outside the country too. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, light protects from the darkness. It portrays a beautiful sight of an array of clay lamps lit in and around the house to bring the festive mood in.

 

I believe that a school is a secular place, where all religion has to be respected for their own. Teaching cultural differences develops tolerance and any celebration increases rational thinking. It symbolizes positivity and knowledge over ignorance but as we know bursting crackers are a part of the culture during Diwali, in Jainism they do not believe in bursting crackers as they cause environmental pollution, instead celebrate with simplicity, calmness, charity, and philanthropy.

 

It commemorates the return of  Lord Rama to Ayodhya along with his wife Sita, Brother Lakshman, and his devotee Hanuman after defeating the demon, King Ravana. It also weaves another story of Lord Krishna defeating the demon Narakasura. The most awaited and most celebrated festival of India where People welcome the festival with enthusiastic gestures. This wonderful celebration lasts for 5 days with the key rituals of the festival of the 3^rd-day lighting Diya’s, worshiping their deity to summon health and wealth, and bursting crackers.

 

The exchange of gifts during Diwali has become mandatory nowadays. Friends, families, and colleagues share the gifts showing love and affection. Apart from lighting Diya’s, the spiritual act of performing pooja, delicious food, new clothes, and exchanging gifts. Rangoli making marks an important part of the celebration by not only decorating their home, but in Hindu Mythology, Rangoli making at home brings happiness and merriment in the surroundings. 

 

 

 

In Britto’s, all the festivals are given equal importance with the right dose of celebration. I feel that students when indulging in non-academic activities deepen their peer - relationships which creates a sense of positive attitude, and cultural ethics and aims for the holistic growth of the institution. 

 

 

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TESTIMONIAL

 

Good day to all. I am S.S.Surya, currently doing Viscom at AMM.JAIN COLLEGE. I am happy to express my view about the celebration of festivals in Brittos. The way all the festivals are given equal importance makes every one of us feel respected and honored. This creates a sense of magnanimity and develops brotherhood without disparity and hatred. so in my school, I make it a point to celebrate all religious festivals so that the upcoming generation is free from social evils for a healthy future.