Divali Artefacts

Diwali artefacts
Sita ram to one and all,
The Hindu festival of Diwali (or Divali) celebrates good conquering evil. It occurs in October or November each year and lasts for 3 to 5 days. Hindus in different parts of India tend to remember different stories at Diwali, on the theme of good conquering evil. The story of the Ramayana (Rama and Sita) is one of the main stories remembered. It measures 180cms by 120cms. The painting shows, from left to right, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Rama and Sita. When Rama returned after 14 years in exile to take his rightful place as king, all the people came out to welcome him back. They lit rows of lamps to lighten his path, called Diwa (or Diva) lamps. The word ‘Diwa’ means ‘light’ and ‘Diwali’ means ‘line of lights’. Light is seen in Hinduism, as in some other religions, as a symbol of good overcoming evil. Today, during Diwali, Hindus light rows of small diwa lamps and display them in their windows.