by Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

Diwali Lights the Way

Diwali festival foods and lamps. Photo by Prchi Palwe from UnSplash.

Diwali Lights the Way

Light over darkness…

People worldwide long for justice and peace;

Diwali lights the way!

Knowledge over ignorance…

Everywhere on earth, people seek opportunities;

Diwali lights the way!

Good over evil…

We all want to live in a clean, safe environment…

Diwali lights the way!

Guiding our journey to a brighter tomorrow,

Diwali lights the way!

Jodhpur during Diwali festival. Photo by Anirudhi from UnSplash.

Copyright© 2022 by Cheryl Batavia

Photo by Suchandra Roy Chowdhery from UnSplash.

The Transformative Power of Diwali

Nearly every culture has celebrations incorporating light. Bonfires, torches, lamps, candles, fireworks…all light the way to our best selves and a better world. Diwali is a beautiful and joyous festival, but what seems extraordinary to me is its universal message…nine simple words with the power to transform the individual and the world:

Light over darkness!

Knowledge over ignorance!

Good over evil!

Happy Diwali, Everyone!

68 Comments

    1. Glad you liked the post, David! ❤ I looked up "Diwali" in Wikipedia. Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs are among the religions that celebrate Diwali. The stories and customs vary from one religion to another and from region to region. The phrases used in this poem seem to be Jain in origin. I did not include the beginning two words,"Victory of"light over darkness…Similar, but not identical, sets of phrases also exist.

      Liked by 2 people

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      1. My holidays has just started from today, which is incidentally is celebrated as Bhoot(Ghost) Chaturdasi and Chhoti Diwali. I shall try to come up with a Diwali edition.
        Today we lit 14 diyas to commemorate the 14 years of exile of Lord Rama. Tomorrow on Diwali, the whole of India would be lit up with colourful lights and diyas to celebrate his return along with his wife Sita and his whole entourage, back to his capital Ayodhya, after decimating Ravana the symbol of evil and arrogance.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. I’m overwhelmed with your cute and sweet message and wish for Diwali. You have brought out the essence of this 5-day festival. Tomorrow is real Diwali. May the festival of lights bring you and your family joy, happiness, prosperity and good health 🙏💐💖

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you, KK. It means a lot to me that you think I got the meaning of Diwali right. Though there are many different festivals featuring lights, the message of Diwali seems universal. Thank you for your kind words and wishes. ❤ All the best to you and your family during this lovely festival!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  16. Thank you for honoring this beautiful holy day. I have seen references to Diwali but did not know the details. Those nine simple words need to be shared far and wide. Light over darkness! Knowledge over ignorance! Good over evil! Happy Diwali, Cheryl!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. We did dear Cheryl. To just point out that Diwali is out and out a Hindu Festival. With different regions deities and minor reasons change. Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs are all branches of Hinduism celebrating it in togetherness.

        Thank you for dipping yourself in the light too ❤

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Thank you, Dwight! ❤

      I walked around our neighborhood today, and it still looks like a disaster zone—the sounds of chainsaws and the smell of smoke. Life goes on. The power, internet, and water are back to normal and the roads are clear. Soon, FEMA will begin removing the debris that lines the roadways and the signs will be put back up. I always enjoyed cooling off by walking down Timber Street, a small, shady street with no houses. It has lost about half of its beautiful old oak trees. I guess they will have to rename it!

      Thank you for your kind comments about the poem. Very much appreciated! ❤ I hope you and Ruth are fully recovered and enjoying life.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  25. These pictures are stunning. True that it lights the way. It’s beautiful to light diyas and be a part of something great. I am sorry to have missed this beautiful post. Thank you for sharing the beauty of lights. 🙂 (hugs)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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