Diwali lights up South Africa with joy and reflection

ON DIWALI, homes, temples, and communities across South Africa will glow with the warmth and brilliance of Diwali, the Festival of Lights. From Chatsworth and Phoenix in Durban to Lenasia in Johannesburg and Rylands in Cape Town, families mark this auspicious occasion with devotion, joy, and togetherness.

The morning begins with ritual baths and prayers, followed by offerings to Goddess Lakshmi, as families seek blessings of prosperity and harmony. Across South Africa, Hindu temples will be filled with worshippers dressed in traditional attire, their voices resonating in chants of devotion. Doorways will be decorated with rangoli patterns of vivid colour, while lamps will be placed at entrances to invite blessings and to symbolise light triumphing over darkness. 

Markets and shopping centres will be bustling as people purchase sweets, new clothing, and festive items. For many business owners, Diwali also signifies the beginning of a new financial year, making the festival a time not only of celebration but also of renewal and fresh beginnings. Children look forward to the evening when fireworks light up the sky, filling neighbourhoods with excitement and laughter.

Diwali in South Africa is more than a family celebration; it is a community event that bridges cultures. Neighbours of all faiths exchange sweets and greetings, standing together in the spirit of unity and respect. Across Durban and Johannesburg, local organisations arrange cultural programmes and charity drives, reminding us that Diwali is as much about giving as it is about rejoicing.

At its heart, Diwali teaches a timeless moral lesson: goodness always prevails. The story of Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana reminds us that courage, faith, and righteousness can overcome evil and despair. Lighting diyas symbolises our own responsibility to dispel ignorance with knowledge, greed with generosity, and hatred with love.

This year, many families will also opt for eco-friendly celebrations, choosing quieter, safer festivities that protect the environment and consider the well-being of pets and local communities. The act of lighting lamps is not only a ritual but also a pledge to create a brighter and more sustainable future.

The moral of Diwali is clear - each of us has the power to be a light. Just as a single lamp can ignite countless others without losing its glow, acts of kindness, compassion, and honesty can inspire positive change around us. The celebration encourages South Africans to reflect on how they can bring light into the lives of others, whether through small gestures of care, standing up for justice, or building stronger bonds of community.

Diwali reminds us that darkness, however vast, cannot overpower even the smallest flame. As South Africans gather on this day in prayer, festivity, and fellowship, the Festival of Lights becomes not only a cultural celebration but also a call to live with integrity, generosity, and unity throughout the year.

Dr Lokesh Ramnath Maharajh is the chairperson of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha Priest’s Council. 

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