Trinidad and Tobago: Diwali celebration and other facts

Photo: The Hindu Temple complex and the 26-meter-tall (85 ft) Hanuman Statue, the tallest Hanuman Murti outside India, in Central Trinidad

Photo: Divali Nagar (City of Lights), located in the town of Chaguanas, where the annual exposition of Hindu and Indo-Trinidadian culture, associated with the celebration of Diwali in Trinidad and Tobago, takes place

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the birthplace of Steelpans (steel drums or pans), Calypso (Afro-Caribbean music), Soca (soul calypso) limbo (a popular form of contra dancing), and well-known for its Carnival, is also one of the countries outside India that celebrate Diwali in a significant manner.

Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic country situated in the southern Caribbean, northeast of the South American country of Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles.

The country consists of two main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous smaller islands covering an area of 5,128 square kilometers (1,980 squire miles). Most of the country's population (96% of 1,229,953 people as of July 2010 est.) lives in Trinidad and 4% of the population reside in Tobago.

Two major ethnic groups in the country are the Indo-Trinidadians and the Afro-Trinidadians in Trinidad, and Indo-Tobagonians and Afro-Tobagonians in Tobago, accounting for about 80% of the population. According to the 2000 census, people of Indian origin (South Asians) make up 40% of the population, the rest of the population being African 37.5%, mixed 20.5%, others 1.2%, and unspecified 0.8%.

Indo-Trinidadians (about 40%) constitute the country's largest ethnic group. They are primarily the descendants of indentured workers from India, brought here by the colonial rulers to work mainly in sugar plantations.

About half of the people of the Indian community follow their original native religions, and the rest have converted to Christianity, or have no religious affiliations (including atheists and agnostics). Through many cultural and religious groups, Trinidadians of Indian descent maintain many of their customs, traditions and rituals.

A major festival of Trinidad and Tobago that stands out is the Diwali Nagar exposition (also spelled Divali Nagar, meaning City of Lights), an annual exposition of Hindu culture broadly, and Indo-Trinidadian culture specifically, staged at the Divali Nagar Site, located in the town of Chaguanas.

Diwali Nagar exposition mainly features stage performances by east Indian cultural practitioners, a folk theatre featuring skits and plays, an exhibition on aspects of Hinduism, displays by various Hindu religious sects and social organizations, nightly worship of Goddess Lakshmi, lighting of Diwali diyas (lamps), performances by various schools related to Indian culture, and a food court serving Indian and non-Indian vegetarian delicacies.

The Diwali festival culminates with magnificent fireworks displays ushering in Diwali. Thousands of people participate in the celebrations in an atmosphere devoid of alcohol and in a true family environment.

The influence of Hinduism can be seen in the Hanuman Murti statue and Hindu Temple complex in Central Trinidad, which is famous for the tallest Hanuman Murti (26 meter/ 85 feet) outside India.

Followers of Hinduism constitute only 22.5% of the population, while the rest of the people are Roman Catholic (26%), Anglican (7.8%), Baptist (7.2%), Pentecostal (6.8%), Muslim (5.8%), Seventh Day Adventist (4%), other Christians (5.8%), others 10.8%, unspecified (1.4%), and people following no religions (1.9%) as per the 2000 census.

The main languages of Trinidad and Tobago are English (official), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), French, Spanish and Chinese.

Christchurch Diwali Festival 2010

Diwali 2010, originally uploaded by johnstewartnz.

Photo: A Rajasthani dancer performs at the Christchurch Diwali Festival

New Zealand, an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean situated about 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) southeast of Australia across the Tasman Sea, is noted for its multiculturalism. Though the majority of New Zealand's population is of European descent, the indigenous Maori are the largest minority, followed by Asians and non-Maori Polynesians, especially in urban areas.

New Zealand ranks highly in international comparisons on many topics, including education, economic freedom, and most importantly lack of corruption and its cities also consistently rank among the world's most livable cities.

Though New Zealand is culturally and linguistically part of Polynesia, contemporary New Zealand culture is mainly derived from British roots, with significant influences from American, Australian and European cultures, and recently non-Maori Polynesian and Asian cultures.

New Zealand's fastest growing ethnic groups are Asians, who celebrate festivals like the Auckland Lantern Festival, Indian festivals such as Diwali, and festivals of other Asian traditions. Large festivals, in celebration of Diwali and Chinese New Year, are held in several of the larger centers. The world's largest Polynesian festival, Pasifika, is an annual event in Auckland.

Diwali and the myth of Narakasura

Photo: Krishna and Satyabhama fighting Narakasura's armies, painting from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, USA.

Deepavali (Divali or Diwali) literally means ‘row of lights’. According to one legend, the festival is celebrated on the occasion of Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama killing the Demon Narakasura. Another legend says the festival is celebrated on the occasion of return of Lord Rama and Sita to the Kingdom of Ayodhya after fourteen years in exile.

In Hindu mythology, Narakasura (or Naraka) is the Asura (demon) son of Goddess Earth (Bhudevi or Bhumi) and Lord Vishnu in his Varaha (boar) Avatar (incarnation). Some other legends say that Narakasura is the son of the Asura, Hiranyaksha.

Narakasura established the kingdom of Pragjyotisha in Assam defeating the last of the Danava king Ghatakasura. As it was foretold that he would be killed by a later incarnation of Vishnu, Goddess Earth sought a boon from Vishnu that her son should have a long life, and he should be all powerful. Vishnu readily granted these boons.

In the history of Assam, Narakasura is cited as the progenitor of many dynasties that ruled Kamarupa in its golden times. He is also associated with the myth of the Shakta Goddess and the place of worship, Kamakhya.

Narakasura joined forces with another Asura, Banasura, and brought all the kingdoms on earth under his rule, conquered Swargaloka, and defeated Indra. Thus Narakasura became the overlord of the heavens and the earth. Also, he abducted and imprisoned 16,100 women in his palace. Besides, he stole the earrings of Aditi, the heavenly mother goddess, and usurped her territory.

Defeated and helpless, the Devas, led by Indra, complained against Narakasura to Lord Vishnu who promised that he will mitigate their plight when he will be incarnated as Lord Krishna.

During the Krishna Avatar of Vishnu, Aditi, who was a relative of Satyabhama (an Avatar of Bhudevi), approached Satyabhama for help. Upon this, because of Narakasuara's ill-treatment of women and Aditi, Satyabhama asked Lord Krishna’s permission to wage a war against Narakasura.

As promised to the Devas and Aditi, Krishna attacked the fortress of Narakasura, riding his mount Garuda with wife Satyabhama. The battle was fierce, as Narakasura unleashed his huge armies of Asuras on Krishna. But the Lord slew them all, and killed Mura, Narakasura's general, because of which Krishna is also called Murari (the enemy of Mura).

In desperation, Narakasura launched Sataghni (a thunderbolt) on Krishna, but it made no impact on Krishna. Finally, when Narakasura tried to kill the Lord with a trident, Krishna beheaded him with his Sudarshana Chakra.

Before dying, Narakasura requested a boon from Krishna that his death anniversary be celebrated by all people on earth. So, the day of his death is celebrated as 'Naraka Chaturdashi', the first day of Diwali.

In another version, Narakasura had gained a boon from Brahma that he would die only at the hands of his mother. So, Satyabhama, along with Krishna, fought Narakasura bravely, but she was no match to him. When Narakasura got a chance, he took aim at Krishna, hurting him lightly. Krishna fainted in a preordained, divine plan adopted to empower Satyabhama.

On seeing the fainted Krishna, Satyabhama was furious, fought fiercely, and killed the demon finally. Before dying, he requested a boon from his mother (Satyabhama) that everyone should celebrate his death with colorful lights. Thus this day is celebrated as the first day of Diwali, 'Naraka Chaturdashi'.

The victory on Narakasura resulted in freedom for all his prisoners, and honoring of Aditi and Lord Krishna rescued all the 16,100 imprisoned women, and married them to restore their former dignity.

Kandeels: paper lanterns lighted during Diwali

A Kandeel [Sanskrit: Akasha Deepa (lantern of the sky), Kannada: Goodu Deepa (Nested light) or Nakshatra Gudu (Star like nest)], is a colorful decorative lantern made of wooden frame and covered papers. These are generally hung in front of homes during Diwali (or Deepavali meaning Festival of Lights), sometimes for around a month from the first day of Diwali.

Kandeels are traditionally built in a crystal shape with tails at the bottom. But in modern times, people created Kandeels in different shapes of stars, globes, airplanes, or any shape that suits their imagination, but the central idea is to make the Festival of Lights more impressive and colorful.

Diwali (also spelt Divali) is an important five-day festival in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism, and celebrated in India, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Mauritius, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Fiji, Surinam, and other places where people of Indian origin and/ or Hindu/ Sikh/ Jain faiths live.

Happy Deepawali

Happy Deepawali ..., originally uploaded by wanderlust1979.

The author adds:
Deepawali, or Diwali is a major Indian festival, and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Many legends are associated with Diwali. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Lights," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being. Diwali is celebrated on the first day of the lunar Kartika month, which comes in the month of October or November.
In many parts of India, it is the homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest, after he defeated the evil Ravana. The people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Rama by lighting rows (awali) of lamps (deepa), thus its name: Deepawali. This word, in due course, became Diwali in Hindi. But, in South Indian languages, the word did not undergo any change, and hence the festival is called Deepawali in southern India. There are many different observances of the holiday across India.
Jainism marks Diwali as the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred on October 15, 527 BC.
Among the Sikhs, Diwali came to have special significance from the day the town of Amritsar was illuminated on the return to it of Guru Hargobind (1595-1644) who had been held captive in the Fort at Gwalior under the orders of the Mughal emperor, Jahangir (1570-1627). As the sixth Guru (teacher) of Sikhism, Guru Hargobind Ji, was freed from imprisonment - along with 53 Hindu Kings (who were held as political prisoners) whom the Guru had arranged to be released as well. After his release he went to the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in the holy city of Amritsar, where he was welcomed in happiness by the people who lit candles and diyas to greet the Guru. Because of this, Sikhs often refer to Diwali also as Bandi Chhorh Divas - “the day of release of detainees."
The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists of Nepal, particularly the Newar Buddhists.
In India, Diwali is now considered to be a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith

Uploaded by wanderlust1979 on 27 Oct 08, 8.03AM PDT.