When did the Diwali in Suriname start?
About Diwali in Suriname Holiday
On behalf of the city of Suriname, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to Diwali, Suriname! Diwali, the festival of light, is one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated in Suriname. The occasion marks the start of the new year in India and the victory of light over darkness.
In Suriname, Diwali is celebrated with grand religious ceremonies, festivities and the illumination of diyas. Throughout the city, colourful rangolis (traditionally, floor decorations made from coloured powder, sand and flowers) will be displayed to welcome guests and signifying the beauty of the festival season. There will be special prayers and offerings to the gods, as well as music and dancing to commemorate this joyous occasion. Since it is the time of the year to give abundance, you will find many stalls offering traditional Diwali gifts like sweets, dry fruits, fruit baskets, home decor items, and religious items.
Also, the streets will be fully decorated with fairy lights and jazzed up homes will add to the beauty of the celebrations. Suriname is ready to embrace the festival of Diwali with absolute dedication and lots of enthusiasm. We welcome you to soak up the vibes of this joyous occasion and indulge in the charm of the Diwali celebrations with us!
Diwali in Suriname
Diwali is a popular holiday celebrated in many countries throughout the world and it is widely celebrated in the Caribbean nation of Suriname. The Hindu festival of Diwali is celebrated by people of Hindu faith around the world. It is also known as the Festival of Lights and marks the victory of good over evil. Here we take a closer look at this popular holiday, tracing its origins, describing its significance, examining its traditional customs and celebrations, exploring geographical spread, and discussing its modern day observations.
History and Origin
Diwali is derived from the word “Deepawali” in India, which literally means “row of lights”. It is traditionally believed to be the celebration of Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after his exile, exile as well as the victory of Lord Krishna in his war against the demon Naraka, thus marking the triumph of good over evil. In this Hindu festival, diyas (oil lamps) are lit to symbolize joy, prosperity and optimism. It is also believed to be one of the holiest and most auspicious Hindus days of the year, celebrated by Hindus all over the world.
In Suriname, one of the largest Hindu celebrations is Diwali. Diwali has been celebrated in Suriname since the emigration of Hindus from India in the early 19th century. Initially, the celebration consisted of Hindu families lighting oil lamps outside their homes as a sign of respect to their ancestors and to signify the victory of good over evil.
The celebration of Diwali has changed over the years in Suriname. In the early days of Suriname’s Diwali celebrations, families would pray to the gods and goddesses, offer sweet dishes to them and wear new clothes as a sign of respect to their ancestors. As time passed, Diwali celebrations in Suriname evolved and the holiday is now celebrated with dinners and parties, exchanging of gifts and visiting with friends and family.
Significance and Meaning
Diwali is an important celebration in Suriname, as it signifies the victory of light over darkness. Hindus celebrants in Suriname consider this holiday to be a symbol of joy, purity and hope. Faithful Hindus believe the day’s significance serves as an annual reminder to look inward, re-connect with family and express love and gratitude to those they care for and are blessed in life.
Diwali is also a celebration honoring Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Abundance. She is believed to bring enlightenment, good luck, peace, success, and prosperity to those worshipping her on Diwali. The festival is perceived to bring blessings to both families and businesses when they worship Her with special services in temples.
Traditions and Celebrations
In Hindu culture, Diwali is one of the most important festivals celebrated with many interesting customs and traditions. The celebration in Suriname is characterized by religious ceremonies, special feasts and colorful decorations.
The official celebration of Diwali begins with the ‘Dhaan and Puja’, an expression of faith and prayers made to Goddess Lakshmi. People dress up in new attire and gather in temple to worship the good divinities. Shrines are decorated with beautiful ornaments and garlands, and the ritual of lighting traditional lamps is performed.
On the day of Diwali, there is an exchanging of sweets, sharing of food, and distributing gifts to family, friends and colleagues. Fireworks and sparklers lit up the sky, symbolizing good luck for the coming year.
Geographical Spread
Diwali is celebrated in all parts of India, as well as South Asian countries, United Arab Emirates, North America, the Caribbean, Europe and Suriname.
In Suriname, Diwali is widely celebrated as an official public holiday. In the coastal areas, Bacha Dashees (village) groups come to celebrate and bring joy to the community. These groups dance through the streets and perform traditional dances and musical performances.
In the capital city of Paramaribo, Diwali celebrations involve large gatherings at temples, where scented oil lamps and incense sticks are lit and offerings made to Goddess Lakshmi. It is customary to serve a lavishly prepared feast of traditional Hindu meals for close family and friends. Fireworks fill the air with a rainbow of vibrant colors, while families exchange gifts such as clothing, jewelry, fruits, sweet treats, and sweets.
Modern Day Observations
Diwali is celebrated differently in modern day Suriname, though its spirit remains true to its original tradition. There is an increased emphasis on modern decorations like strings of lights, colored balloons, and wall hangings. Diwali dinners are an important part of the festivities and large gatherings are held to enjoy Hindu delicacies such as gulab jamun, samosas, and biryani.
Contemporary Diwali celebrations also tend to be accompanied by musical performances and colorful performances to entertain the audience. To spread cheer, Surinamese Hindus often give out gifts of books, toys, warm clothing and festive biscuits to those in need.
Interesting Facts or Trivia
• Diwali is a 5 day festival, beginning on Dhanteras, the first day, and ending on Bhai Duj, the fifth day.
• In Hindu beliefs, Diwali marks the start of the new year.
• People in Suriname exchange sweets along with words of goodwill and blessings for a prosperous year.
• Ghee lamps are lit in temples and homes in Suriname, as a symbol of honoring the gods.
• On Diwali night, Hindus light a special oil lamp called ‘Deepam’ which signifies the victory of knowledge over ignorance.
• On the fourth day of Diwali, a special puja is performed to honor Lord Hanuman, the monkey god, who is believed to be the vehicle of Gods Shri Ram and Shri Krishna.
• On the fifth day of Diwali, Hindus celebrate Bhai Duj, a festival honoring the bond between sisters and brothers.
• Diwali is one of few festivals where all Hindus, regardless of caste or sub-caste, come together to celebrate.
Holiday Wishes
1. May peace, joy and prosperity follow you always! Happy Diwali!
2. Wishing you a joyous Diwali and a prosperous new year.
3. Wishing you a life full of happiness and success. May you be blessed with love and joy! Happy Diwali!
4. May this Diwali be one that is filled with joy and prosperity!
5. Wishing you a life full of success and good health. May you be blessed with joy and happiness!
Holiday Messages
1. May this Diwali bring you joy, happiness, peace, and prosperity.
2. May the auspicious occasion of Diwali usher in a new era of peace, prosperity, and love in your life!
3. Wishing you and your family a safe and prosperous Diwali!
4. Let us celebrate the festival of lights with joy and peace.
5. Wishing you a wonderful and glorious Diwali!
Holiday Quotes
1. “This Diwali let’s celebrate with love, joy, and respect for our culture.”
2. “Let this Diwali fill your life with sparkles of joy and prosperity.”
3. “Diwali – The Festival of Lights, May it bring lots of joy and prosperity to your life.”
4. “Explode the firecrackers of joy, light the lamps of love. May this Diwali be glorious.”
5. “Wishing you a Diwali that brings light to your home and joy to your heart.”
Other Popular Holiday Info
The holiday of Diwali is not only celebrated in Hindu temples but also in Christian and Parsee churches. Diwali is a celebration of lights, happiness, and joy that illuminates the lives of many people of all faiths. Many people also make donations to charities and temples to commemorate the renowned tradition of Diwali, and they can also donate to organizations working to help the underprivileged and needy.
Suriname’s faith-based organizations are also playing a key role in keeping alive the culture and traditions associated with Diwali. They organize events to educate people on the customs and beliefs of the Hindu faith, enabling Hindus to practice and spread the message of peace and joy through the cultural celebrations.
Diwali celebration is already an essential part of Surinamese culture, and with a number of organizations promoting the event, Hinduism will continue to be a popular religion in Suriname and its festivities will be celebrated for many years to come.
This Diwali season, let us look forward to a bright future full of hope, peace, and joy.
Diwali in Suriname Also Called
Deepawali. Deepawali is a festival celebrated by the Hindu and Jain communities in Suriname as a time of thanksgiving and celebration. Traditionally, people light lamps, known as diyas, exchange gifts and share sweets to symbolise the victory of good over evil. Deepawali is a five-day winter festival that falls on the 15th day of Kartik, the eighth month in the Hindu calendar.Countries where "Diwali in Suriname" is celebrated:
FUN FACT:
In year 1941, Diwali in Suriname is celebrated on October 20 for the first time.HOLIDAY CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, please click here to contact us!