With the arrival of Bharat, the first indentured labourer on May 30, 1845, Hinduism and its various festivals, including Divali, became part of the landscape of Trinidad. A simple religious act of lighting an earthen deya as a symbol to the female aspect of God, Mother Lakshmi, is today a national festival and is observed in 125 countries worldwide where hindus have migrated.
Even in the British parliamentary chamber, this festival has now become a feature. Trinidad and Tobago is one of the blessed places on planet earth. We are a land of not only diverse peoples and cultures but we are also blessed with the presence of the great religions of the world-Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and various other smaller religious groupings.
T&T is one of the few places on planet earth that is free from violent religious clashes. In fact, we proudly boast that through our own efforts we have created an organisation called IRO-Inter Religious Organisation. The religious organisations of T&T supplement the work of the state at every level of life. We provide churches, mandirs and mosques so that our people could seek God and guidance.
We also provide pre-schools, primary schools and secondary schools to the children of the nation so that they may have a balanced education covering the secular and the sacred. We provide social institutions also. The religious bodies are not competitors with the state. We exist to provide support to the citizens of T&T and to work in tandem with state polices.
It is therefore regrettable that some politicians use state funding as a weapon against the churches rather than as support to a partner. Divali is a Hindu religious festival of lights, which is celebrated throughout the world wherever there are Hindus. The word "Divali" or "Depavali" means rows of sacred lighted deyas or earthen lamps.
It is one of the main festivals of India, T&T and Guyana and other countries where Hindus were transported as labourers. Divali is an occasion when lighted deyas and other forms of light are used at nighttime to dispel the darkness. Lighting of deyas and using other forms of light are only two parts of the celebration. It also includes cleaning of homes and bodies, fasting, prayer and puja.
Just as light removes darkness, Hindus believe that by celebrating Divali, human ignorance is removed and knowledge and understanding take its place. The actual worship at Divali time is supposed to develop a closer link with God. This develops the light within the heart which is important for people to live in peace. This year it fell on November 13, and a public holiday was declared by the state.
Divali is always celebrated on the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Kartik. This corresponds to a period during October and November. In T&T Divali was first declared a public holiday in 1966. The celebration involves the entire family in the preparation and actual worship. Thus it develops family unity.
The members of the family share the work to be done. This joy of working together is also experienced by other citizens who have a community celebration. Light is of universal importance. The sun's light and heat are important for life on this world of ours. Throughout man's history, the use of fire and light have played an important role in the development of different cultures.
Divali, as a celebration, has been traced back to the early Hindu scriptures but history does not record the exact date of its first observance. The activities have developed over thousands of years. Some customs have been added, whilst the festival may be observed for different lengths of time in various places.
In some parts of India, Divali is a five-day celebration, whilst in our country, it may be observed for two or three days with the emphasis on Divali day. On Divali day, there is fasting, preparation of special foods and Prasad; doing Lakshmi Puja and lighting of deyas form the high point of the celebration.
Many Hindu homes are visited by their pundits who perform special worship called "Lakshmi Pooja" weeks ahead of the actual Divali day. Lakshmi is worshipped daily in Hindu homes and commercial establishments as the goddess of wealth. She also enjoys worship as the consort of Vishnu in many temples. The festivals of Divali and Kojagiri Purnima are celebrated in her honour.
• Satnarayan Maharaj
Secretary General
Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha