Indian expats stock up on sweets ahead of Diwali

Dubai: Dieting goes way out of the window when tempted with a variety of Indian sweets that are placed in front of you at the workplace, sweet shops and when invited to an Indian home during Diwali, the festival of lights.

Sweet shops are flooded with orders for traditional Indian sweets well in advance from Indian expatriates for Diwali celebrations.

But the festival is not all about these mouthwatering delights, it carries with it a message of spreading the light of knowledge, goodness and prosperity. It is considered to be the biggest Hindu festival.

The festival extends to five days and is ushered in with prayers, rituals, lights, firecrackers, sweets, rangoli (colourful motifs) and the exchange of gifts. Today, the third day of Diwali, is considered as the most important. On this day Hindus perform the puja (ritual) of Lakshmi — the deity of wealth and prosperity.

In the UAE, the markets are flooded with colourful elements associated with this festival, and while stores display the latest trends in Indian fashion, tailors are working round-the-clock to meet the demand.

"We do not have time to breathe. All our tailors are working between 12 to 15 hours at a stretch. We had to refuse some of the new customers," said a tailor in Bur Dubai.

Pooja Diwedi is newly wed and this year it is her first Diwali away from her parents and relatives in India.

"My husband has lot of friends and he has invited half of them home for a Diwali dinner. I just hope that I am able to throw a good party. I have prepared five varieties of Indians sweets at home, the remaining we ordered from a sweet shop in Karama."

Archana Patel lives alone in Sharjah. She is disappointed about having to work during the Lakshmi puja.

"I did not do any shopping for Diwali. My home will be [without] lights and candles on Diwali evening, as I will be at my office. "It's not considered good if your home is left without any lights during Diwali. I am disappointed."

A victory of good over evil

Deepavali is a festival celebrated by Hindus and is also known as Festival of Lights and signifies victory of good over the evil within an individual. The word Diwali is the truncated version of the Sanskrit word "Deepavali" — Deepa (light) and Avali (in a row).

It is decided by the lunar calendar and symbolises the age-old culture of India that holds importance to do away with ignorance and darkness and spread the light of knowledge.