Christmas Lights Already? Maybe not.

We’ve all had a tough year, and that’s putting it mildly. There are already those among us who believe the holiday season begins promptly at 12:01AM on November 1st. Given the additional difficulties of this year, it’s easy to understand why even more people may be inclined to buck tradition and get the holiday cheer out of the boxes, onto the mantel, and around the house, pronto.

But before you leap to conclusions about the lights you see already adorning your neighbor’s house, remember that we all don’t necessarily celebrate the same holidays, and those “Christmas lights” may in fact be hung in celebration of the Hindi holiday, Diwali.

Diwali is observed by millions around the globe, and celebrates the triumphs of good over evil, and light over darkness. The word Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word deepavali, and translates to “rows of lighted lamps”. As such, the celebration is also known as “the festival of lights”, and many households decorate by hanging lights outside their homes, and lighting lamps inside. The celebration takes place over five days and this year the festivities begin on Thursday, November 12th , with the main day of celebration occurring on Saturday, the 14th, so don’t be alarmed if you hear a few fireworks.

So, if you suspect a friend or neighbor is celebrating, don’t be afraid wish them a Diwali full of light, or simply say “Happy Diwali!”

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