What comes to mind when we think of Hinduism, the third-largest world religion after Christianity and Islam, making up 15 percent of the world’s population? For some it might be the religious teachings; for others it might be the festivals or something else. In Hinduism festival celebrations are a core value. One festival that is most important to them is called Diwali. For Hindus it is a religious and cultural event that marks the beginning of a new year in their lives, as Christmas does for many Christians.
Diwali, or Deepavali, means “row of lights” and is also known as the festival of lights. It is celebrated around the end of October or early November. In many cities you may see ads promoting Diwali and streets decorated with lights, deyas, or little lamps.
Diwali is generally celebrated over five days. The celebration is associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and the royal deities Rama and Sita and their successful return from exile in the forest after they overcame the demon king Ravana of Sri Lanka.
In modern times the celebration of Diwali encompasses a range of religious, social, and cultural events. It is also a national holiday in many countries with a significant Hindu population. The observance of Diwali by Hindus varies widely, ranging from no celebrations to only cultural events to strict religious observance. In general Diwali is celebrated in two parts: religious observances (such as attending temple worship) and personal preparation. While preparation varies from family to family, it typically includes cleaning one’s home, which symbolizes the removal of evil and disorder, fasting, decorating doorsteps with rangoli (Indian colorful patterns that welcome goodness), preparing vegetarian meals, and inviting friends and neighbors to annual dinners or pujas. The climax of Diwali is the lighting of many deyas after sunset on the night of Diwali in honor of good overcoming evil and the exchange of gifts and sweets as an act of generosity.
Diwali celebration among non-Hindus
In diaspora countries non-Hindus have adopted nonreligious celebrations of Diwali. They join in decorating their businesses, making sweets, and attending cultural programs organized by the Hindu community. This is true in countries in which Diwali is a national holiday, such as Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, South Africa, and Mauritius. Politicians, government ministries, and businesses are often involved in Diwali celebrations. Many organizations, such as banks and stores, decorate their workplaces and even participate in events that celebrate the cultural aspects of Diwali.
Witnessing to Hindus during Diwali
For many Seventh-day Adventists knowledge of Hinduism or the Diwali festival may be limited. The apostle Paul provided a model for entering this unknown area of ministry. He mingled with non-Christians as one who desired their good. You may have a coworker or a neighbor who is a Hindu or a Sikh. If you have a relationship with them, it is much easier to engage them during Diwali. And it is not too late to start a friendship with a Hindu or Sikh you’ve met.
When my family and I were serving overseas, many of our Hindu friends looked forward to inviting us over for a meal during Diwali celebrations. They saw us as part of their family. Hindus view this Diwali period as an opportunity to renew friendships and embark on a new spiritual journey.
Let’s start with the fundamental way of witnessing. First: Prayer. The Center for South Asian Religions offers an annual five-day prayer guide that you can use to pray for your Hindu or Sikh friends. You can find the prayer guide on gmcsar.org after logging in.
Learning more about how they celebrate Diwali is a good place to begin. This approach will help build a bridge that lays the foundation for sharing your faith with them at the appropriate time. For example, if your coworker or neighbor is fasting during Diwali, you could ask questions about this practice. Perhaps you could find a way to affirm their spiritual journey. But if they are not into the religious celebrations of Diwali, you can still connect with them on the cultural aspects of it.
It is not too late to start a friendship with your Hindu or Sikh friend.
Hindus are more open to spiritual discussion at Diwali than at other times. You can initiate spiritual discussions, especially on topics such as good and evil in the world, and when evil will end. You can share the Christian biblical perspective on these topics, as described in the book of Revelation. Additionally, you could initiate conversations about the meaning of light in the Bible: “Your celebration of Diwali reminds me of Jesus, who said, ‘I am the light of the world.’ He came to drive away the darkness in our hearts and give us peace with God.” These kinds of statements, spoken with love, could plant seeds in the hearts of Hindus. You may be surprised to learn that most Hindus may not be aware of the Christian teaching on the origin of good and evil!
During Diwali Hindus do help the less fortunate. It is a good time to share with them some of the initiatives of the Adventist Church, such as Adventist Community Services, ADRA, food bank ministries, etc. You could invite them to partner with you in serving the community or join them in helping those in need.
Should I accept an invitation to a Hindu home during Diwali?
As mentioned above, Hindus often invite their neighbors and friends to a meal during Diwali. Hindus serve only a vegetarian meal during Diwali. Sharing a meal is an important religious and social value among Hindus. So should you accept an invitation from your Hindu coworker, neighbor, or family member for a meal? Generally speaking, an invitation to join your Hindu friend or family is a sign of friendship. In most cases they are not expecting you to participate in the religious aspect of Diwali. Diwali is both a religious and cultural festival that marks the end of the harvesting season. Hindus living in the diaspora celebrate the cultural aspects of Diwali in different ways. For example, in Guyana Hindus have a national float parade, while in Trinidad and Tobago they have a two-week-long bazaar at the Indian Cultural Center, where Hindus and non-Hindus attend cultural programs.
Should I go with my friends to a Hindu temple on Diwali for the special celebration and puja?
There are various ways to approach this kind of situation. If it is possible to go as an observer, clarifying to your friends that you do not feel comfortable participating in the puja or any other acts of worship, then it should not be an issue. In fact, you may be able to learn more about the importance of Diwali for your friends and all that it entails for them. If, however, you feel that going will create pressure for you to participate or is misunderstood as acceptance of all that the festival entails, including the acts of worship towards deities, then it may be best to politely decline the invitation and respectfully share briefly why you feel unable to attend. Transparency and honesty are very important as you continue to build these relationships.
Conclusion
Serving and reaching Hindus is part of our gospel commission. Jesus said, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward” (Matt. 10:42).
We must remember that connecting with Hindus during Diwali is a starting point, not a finishing line. Our goal is to build long-term relationships in which truth is shared and trust is earned, leading to many accepting Jesus as their personal Savior. Hindus often come to Christ through a series of encounters with Scripture, with Christlike believers, through dreams, or answered prayers. Diwali offers one such encounter. Let your life be the lamp that lights the way to Jesus Christ.[*]
[*] To read more on this topic, I recommend: Jayaram, V. “Diwali or Dipavali—The Hindu Festival of Lights,” 2016. Hinduwebsite.com. Accessed December 11, 2017. http://www.hinduwebsite.com/festivals/diwali.asp. Devagupta, R. “The Inner Light.” In What Is Hinduism? ed. Paramacharya Palaniswami, Kapaa, Hawaii: Himalayan Academy, 2007. Pp. 232, 233. Sookdeo, Bavina. “The Five Days of Divali.” Trinidad & Tobago Guardian, October 20, 2014. Accessed December 18, 2016. http://www.guardian.co.tt/lifestyle/2014-10-19/five-days-divali. Rooplall, Rabindra. 2018. “Diwali: Seeking the Inner Light Within.” Guyana Chronicle, November 6, 2018.Accessed December 27, 2019. http://guyanachronicle.com/2018/11/06/diwali-seeking-the-inner-light-within. Tompkins, Andrew. “About Diwali.” South Asian Messenger 2, no. 5 (2022): 13.
