Today in food we celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights,
We will Share some great Indian recipes with Meena Pathak and find out in Foodie News what's on the mind of Clarence Chin head of the Bakers Association of Jamaica.

But first things first.
Do you have any left over candles from hurricane Ivan? Yes? Oh good! Now find a couple of candelabras, position them strategically around the house and start making plans for Diwali.

Backdrop created by Ann-Marie Wyss (Photo: Bryan Cummings / Mark Dennis)

The Festival.

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, will be celebrated in many countries around the world tomorrow (Friday). During this time homes are thoroughly cleaned and windows opened to welcome Laksmi, the goddess of wealth.

Candles and lamps are lit as a greeting to Laksmi. Gifts are exchanged and festive meals are prepared during Diwali, a celebration as important on the Hindu calendar as is Christmas to those of us in the West.

With so many regions forming the subcontinent there are, as one can well imagine, several variations on the theme. In at least one area, the festival begins with Dhanteras - a day set aside to worship Laksmi. In the Indian culture, wealth is not viewed as a corruptive power. Instead, wealth is deemed to be a reward for good deeds.

On day two it is to Kali, the goddess of strength, that persons turn. Emphasis is also placed on the abolishment of laziness and evil.

On day three, lamps are lit and left to shine brightly in each home. The lamp symbolises knowledge and encourages reflection upon the purpose of each day in the festival.

The fourth day of Diwali speaks to settling old business accounts and to the opening of new books. The books are worshipped at a special ceremony and participants are encouraged to remove anger, hate and jealousy from their lives.

On the final day (Balipratipada) of the festival, Bali, an ancient Indian king, is recalled. Bali destroyed the centuries-old philosophies of the society. In addition to this, he is remembered for being a generous person. Persons are encouraged on this day to see the good in others, including enemies.

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