On Wednesday, Hindus around the world celebrated the Diwali Festivals with aplomb. Although this day is not gazetted under Kenyan laws, the Kenyan Hindu took the day off to perform their rituals.
In Thika town, these celebrations took place in various Hindu temples and at the Gymkhana Grounds.
In the evening, as is the norm, the Hindu families gathered at these designated places for the festivities, played cards and made merry. Some hosted get-together dinners to usher in the festival with the near and dear ones. They also busted firecrackers, an exercise that government authorities had restricted to specified hours. No one was permitted to burst these crackers in residential areas.
Diwali or the festival of lights is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains in India and around the world. It is dedicated to the triumph of goodness over evil and knowledge over ignorance. It honours the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, and the legend of Rama and Sita.
Festivities include decorating houses and public spaces with thousands of lights, candles and colourful designs. Fireworks, family gathering and gift giving also form part of the celebrations.
According to one of the Hindus in Thika town, Amit Dass, the sound of firecrackers is meant to make the gods aware of the plentiful state of people living on earth.
The lighting of lamps is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity.