'A light at the end of the tunnel': Winnipeggers celebrate Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas

Afterthe pandemicdimmedlast year's Diwali celebrations,Winnipeggerslike Manju Lodha and her husband,GanpatLodha,are happy to at least have people over andfeel that Diwaliis once again a bright spot.

"Last year was real sad, but this year has been more fun," Manju said.

Code red pandemic restrictions last yearmade for a much more subdued Diwali, whichwould normally see thousands of Hindus, Jains and Sikhs inWinnipeg gatherto ring in the holiday.

Diwalididn't quitereturn to normal this year, but with gathering restrictions eased for vaccinated Manitobans, they had another family overtoofferpuja toLakshmi, theHindu goddess of wealth and good fortune, beforelighting sparklers and fireworksin the backyard and sharing food.

Ganpatwas born Jain but also practices Hinduism. He took some time to worship MahavirSwami, the 23rd TirthankaraofJainism, as well.

Diwali derivesfrom the Sanskrit word "deepavali," which translates to a "row or series of lights."

"It's light over darkness, friendship over animosity, love against hatred," Manju said.

WATCH | How Winnipeg families celebratedDiwali this year:

Winnipeggers celebrate Diwali

3 years ago

Duration 1:56

The Sandhu and Lodha families invited CBC to see how they and many other Manitobans celebrated the annual festival of lights.

A new year, a new hope

While Hindus, Jainsand Sikhs celebrate the five-day festival in their own ways,candles, lamps, sparklers and fireworks play a big part across the board.

And Raj Sandhu'sWinnipeg home was no exception.

Last year during lockdown,Sandhuspent two days putting together a five-metretall wallpaper depiction of the Golden Temple of Amritsar,Sikhism'smost important spiritualsite. It's been apermanent fixture in his home ever since.

"It's just giving that positive light every single day," Sandhu said.

This year he was thrilled to shareit with family, friends and neighbours, who he notified ahead of time about the fireworks happening in his backyard.

On Diwali, Sikhs also celebrateBandi Chhor Divas, known also as the "day of liberation." It commemoratesthe dayGuru Hargobind jiwas released from prison, and at the same timehelped secure the release of 52 Hindu kings as well.

"Standing for others, making sure good things happen around you andbeing positive ...that's what the whole festival is about," Sandhu said.

Sikhs perform a special prayer called Ardas,which Sandhu says is a prayer for the well-being of the whole world.And on Bandi Chhor Divas, he saidthe people suffering under the pandemic and the farmers protesting in Indiawere top of mind.

"There's a light at the end of the tunnel," he said.