Divali: rituals and traditions mix with modern

Traditions have been passed down from generation to generation, along with shades of modernity. 

The preparation of this festival usually begins by cleaning the house. A necessary step if we want to host this event as it should. 

At the same time, the believer engages in a fast to purify themselves before the sacred celebration. Pandit Ved Gopee explains that there is no specific time that is imposed. "Everything depends on the availability believer. What matters is that it prepares and purifies himself, "said the priest. You should know that there is a nuance in the celebration of the festival of light for Tamil and Hindu families. Rituals are not identical, although the symbolism remains the same. 

The priest said that the Tamils celebrate Divali in the morning, while other Hindus (including Hindi speaking) celebrate this festival of light in the afternoon. "According to the lunar calendar, the day of Diwali starts 3:48 and ends at 11:57 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26. According to Hindu belief, Diwali symbolizes the return of Lord Rama after 14 years of exile in the forest. And it happens very early, which explains why some are celebrating Divali at dawn, "says Pandit Ved Gopee. 

The religious note, however, an evolution in how to celebrate Divali. Although traditions are perpetuated across generations. For example, there is the famous custom of decorating his house. Previously, we used only small earthen lamps. "Today, there are also bulbs. People are more comfortable economically. And some families have used this practice to appeal to children. But nothing replaces the earthen lamps, "says he. And in some Mauritian families, we stopped to cook cakes. Due to time constraints, they are bought already cooked in small bags recalling the celebration. " 

Moreover, even the cakes, Pandit said that the ancestors Gopee prepared only "gato potato." "Now, there are a variety of cookies that is proposed," says he. 

At the family Pillay Petit-Verger, Saint-Pierre, family communuaté Tamil Diwali begins with the sacred bath."Everybody takes a sacred bath with dholl and puts on new clothes, and everything is done before sunrise, according to the customs. Then, prepare cakes and to pray before sharing sweets with friends and neighbor s, "said Pillay Danavadee. 

On the other hand, in the family Gunassee Water Casting, we will wake up early too. And soon after, everyone will strive to bake cakes for distribution to relatives and neighbors. After that, the family will gather for a prayer. 

But at nightfall, the two traditions meet, when lighting the traditional lamp. After this ritual, the family together for dinner only vegetarian.