Diwali, Divali or Deepavali: whatever you choose to call this wonderful Hundu festival, it’s the Hindu Festival of Light.

Lasting five or six days (depending on location), it’s date varies annually, but this year, 2022, it starts on October 24 (in the UK)

The Festival of Light represents the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Various stories abound regarding the history of the celebration, involving Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth)I;  Ganesha, God of Wisdom; and the Supreme Being Rama (also known as  Ram, Raman, Ramaror  Ramachandra).

The lead up to the day involves a massive clean out. Hindus traditionally also redecorate and renovate both at home and at work

Diyas (oil lamps ) symbolise knowledge  - or inner light -  bringing inner peace and fighting off any traces of darkness. They are often handmade out of clay and painted in vibrant colours. To drive out darkness, they are lit on the third day of Diwali (the new moon, with, therefore, the darkest nigh).

Once cleaned, Hindu homes and workplaces are decorated with the diyas and  with rangoli, fabulous coloured, complex decorations in the shape of flowers, leaves or animals created out of powdered materials.

Only clean and beautifully decorated homes are visited by the gods, according to tradition.

On the last day of Diwali, some Hindu communities also celebrate Bhai Dooj celebrating the bonds between sisters and brothers.

Here at easyStorage, we are all in favour of a good declutter and clean up, and love the bright colours that abound for Diwali. (We have a particular soft spot for orange!) Diwali has to be one of our favourite festivals!

Cleaning, dusting and doing all your laundry becomes a ‘cleansing’ ritual.

It’s time to buy a new outfit. (What’s not to love?!)

Sweets and snacks  are a Diwali tradition, often given as gifts.

So we would like to wish our readers, customers and friends, Hindu or not, a really Happy Diwali.