The Festival of Lights, also known as Hanukkah, is one of the most popular Jewish holidays. The Festival of Lights celebrates the victory of Jews against Syrians in 165 BCE and their rededication of the temple. This 8-day event begins on 25 December and ends on 2 January.
This festival is marked by different customs depending on which country you are in or which part you live in around the world. Gold, silver, and blue are traditionally used to celebrate Hanukkah. These colors are chosen because, for the 2nd year, one candle was lit each night for 8 nights.
Diwali is a festival of lights celebrated by visiting, exchanging presents, donning new clothes, feasting, feeding the underprivileged, and lighting fireworks (though such displays have been restricted to limit noise and other environmental pollution).
In Jainism, Diwali is also a significant event. The festival honors Mahavira’s enlightenment and release (moksha) from the cycle of life and death, as the most recent of the Jain Tirthankaras (samsara). The lamps are lit to commemorate the light of Mahavira’s divine knowledge.
How is the Festival of Lights celebrated?
The Jewish day of lights has other spiritual significance than just lighted candles, and these days have their significance within Judaism. The fast day Yom Kippur is also known as a “day of atonement.” It is believed that the world is purified and cleansed of all sins. The world then starts a new cycle by the end of Yom Kippur.
The candlelight is also significant since a Jewish prayer is associated with lighting candles during Hanukkah called the “Eighteen Blessings.” This prayer explains why Hanukkah should be celebrated and how to celebrate it.
The lighting of the candles takes place after the 9th night of Hanukkah. Traditionally, a special prayer is said all night to bless Hanukkah. The candlelight is extinguished with a blessing and the joyous message that “Hanukkah has come.”
According to Bhalla, during the five-day festival, candles, firecrackers, and clay lamps are known as diyas, are lighted to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. If you want to wish someone a happy Diwali or a happy New Year, you might say “Happy Diwali” or “Saal Mubarak.”
Rangolis, intricate patterns formed from colored powder, rice, or flowers, will also be used to beautify the floors of people’s homes. Food plays an important role in the occasion, consuming traditional sweets and savory dishes.
Best Part of Festival of Lights:
Although it is the festival of lights and everything is illuminating with beautiful decorations and lights, the best of the festival of light is that it brings everyone together. It brings love and unity between people all over the world.
Your friends and family get together and enjoy every moment of the festival by eating together, decorating every inch of their house, and happiness is everywhere. Well, the festival of lights is the best, and it comes once a year, so celebrate it with full joy and enthusiasm.
