Lighting Up the Neighborhood in October – Celebrating Deepavali
Every year, the month of October or November lights up the houses of Hindu devotees across the world to celebrate the festival of lights. This celebration is not only widely popular in India but also among those who follow the path of Hinduism in Sri Lanka as well. Therefore, if one chooses Amaya Lake or any other hotel in the country for a vacation in the month of October, chances are that these tourists will be able to catch glimpses of the illuminating celebration from their hotels in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, or other regions of the country.
The rituals revolved around this celebration in Sri Lanka are similar to that of the ones followed in Tamil Nadu, and this year these traditions will be observed on the 24th of October. During Deepavali, an exchange of gifts and good wishes among family and friends takes place while the Goddess Lakshmi is decorated in a new dress. The lighting of oil lamps that are believed to chase away evil spirits is perhaps the most prominent and widely known ritual of all.