Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2018 | Page 632

Festival of Divali
Tuesday 6th November, 2018
In 1845 when Indians arrived in Trinidad as indentured
servants, they brought their religious observances
with them. Many of the Indians were Hindus and their
celebration of Divali continued in their new homeland
over the years. The day designated to observe this
celebration is now a national holiday in Trinidad and
Tobago and this festival is considered the largest in
the region.
Divali is a festival of lights. Rows of clay lamps are lit
outside of the homes of Hindus as a symbol of the
inner light that protects them from spiritual darkness.
Divali is a celebration of light over darkness and good
over evil. This is a sacred time for Hindus, marked by
prayer and fasting followed by a huge feast of Indian
food and desserts.