Tea-Light

On the Hindu festival of Diwali, traditional earthen diyas are filled with oil and lit. But in recent years, easier options such as candles and tea-lights have taken over. They require less work to prepare, create less mess, and are actually less polluting, so their popularity is understandable.

The curvy, coloured pattern on the floor is part of a rangoli. A rangoli is a traditional Indian pattern drawn on the floor, before and during many festival celebrations, especially Diwali. Rangolis are symbols of the Hindu religion. They are thought to bring good fortune and prosperity to the house that they adorn, so people try to make them as attractive as possible. Vivid and vibrant colours are used to draw attention and to decorate the home.