By marking auspicious beginnings, illuminating our lives with a ray of hope and bringing together family and friends from across the globe, Diwali is by and far one of the biggest festive celebration of our country and a huge favourite as well. The 15th day of the Kartika month which falls between October - November, witnesses a five-day celebration signifying the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and divine over dreadful.

Its origins are deep-rooted in ancient Indian scriptures and mythological texts, according to which this festival of lights was called Padma Purana and was observed for 5 days after the harvest season. Each cultural community has its own version of how this festival came to be but are united in the factor of commemorating the victory of good over evil. The most popular one albeit can be found the epic of Ramayana, when Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Sita upon their return to Ayodhya, after defeating the evil king Ravana, are welcomed by a million diyas and lamps lit across the city by its people. A befitting homecoming with countless reasons to rejoice. Following the footsteps of this culturally ingrained tradition, the current customs of Diwali are equally diverse and cheerful. The fanfare and fests that span five days starts with Dhanteras (believed to be auspicious for buying gold and silver jewellery). 

Besides from lighting of lamps, the festival also includes certain traditional customs that make it all the more special. Right from a rigorous and thorough cleaning of the home to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the excited and elated shopping sprees to the countless hours spent in making delicious sweets and savouries to decking the entrance of the house with colourful and artistic kolams, it is a delightful experience for everybody. As a mark for the new season and symbolic of fresh beginnings in all areas, it is also the time when family and friends come together and partake in the festivities. 

It is interesting to note how this very celebration varies as we travel across the length and breadth of our country. Uttar Pradesh, the birthplace and home to Lord Rama, witness a breathtaking Ganga Aarti this time of the year, where thousands of lamps float over the river accompanied by the melodious chanting of the priests and exquisite floral decorations all over. As we move to West Bengal, Kali Puja takes prominence where Goddess Durga is worshipped through her avatar of Kali and people come together to welcome the divine and dynamic feminine force with great fanfare. In Andhra Pradesh, the festivities comprise of theatre and drama where the slaying of the demon is re-enacted and effigies are burnt similar to Dusshera. Unlike the rest of the country that looks up to a sky full of fireworks at night, people in Tamil Nadu wake up at the crack of dawn and engage in a series of rituals including a fragrant oil bath, wearing new clothes, eating a herbal mix called ‘Deepavali Lehiyam’ as a precursor to the feast and bursting of crackers.

As we come together in the spirit of festivity, from across the countless cities that we call home and bound by an illuminating ray of hope, let's celebrate the simply sublime threads of tradition. Inspired by the lustrous lights of this festival, explore our special Mathappu Collection sarees that are interwoven in a spectrum of contrasting colours with modest motifs. Revel in the sparkling and shimmering seasonal festivities with drapes that dazzle.