Religious Life(style): Don't over-commercialise Diwali

Let me just start off by saying happy Diwali to all its followers! May this be the most memorable one yet for you, no matter how you choose to celebrate it.                                                                         

As we all know, Diwali is a season for commemorating the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. It is a magical time filled with the most amazing celebrations and festivities. A time for cleaning out the old and bringing in the new. A time for being thankful and for giving.                                                                       

However, in the last few years the tradition of gift giving has turned into a majorly commercialised event, with people spending a fortune on gifts whilst losing sight along the way of the true meaning of the custom.

It is true that "new" is a big feature of Diwali practices, rituals and traditions, but expense need not be. In fact too many holy days have turned into huge spending sprees, making those who fall into these expenditure traps, lose more than just money along the way. 

Why not break away from the practices of the masses and make this Diwali one which exhibits the true meanings behind this, the most sacred of Hindu holidays? It is easier than you think as all you really need to do is control how much you spend, and put some thought into gift giving, by giving gifts to those dear to you of a more personal and significant nature. 

For instance you could rather give your sister a nice box filled with childhood memories (items from both your childhood days), than a new cell/mobile phone. It is true that the cell/mobile phone would make a great gift, but it will not make a memory. All it will make is a hole in your pocket/wallet and someone else happy for a split second in time. Think creatively and meaningfully when planning the gifts you are going to give, instead of just running out to the shops and spending obscene amounts of money. 

How about the new clothes you are going to buy? The idea of expensive, lavish outfits sounds amazing, but wouldn't buying beautiful material and having your grandmother make you something beautiful and new hold more meaning for you in the end? 

Meaning is the keyword to focus on during the time of Diwali, so remember to light your diyas in celebration and be filled with the spirit of the season. Just be careful of setting your wallet alight in the process.  

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