A parade of auspicious peacocks to welcome the Festival of Lights at Little India Deepavali Light-Up 2022.
I post about this festive light-up every year, so for this round, let me begin in a different way. By sharing some mythology trivia.
In Hinduism, the peacock is regarded as one of the most auspicious and beautiful birds, a belief that has earned the majestic avian the status of the national bird of India.
It is often identified with Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Wealth, as well as Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. In the latter case, the peacock, or Citramekhala, symbolises dance and protection from snakes in iconographies. Also, the ability to transmute serpent poison into enlightenment.
When Hindu families display peacock feathers at home, it is an aspiration for wealth and prosperity.
Iconography of other key Hindu deities frequently features the peacock too. Kartikeya, the youthful God of War, rides one. Krishna, the eighth avatar of Preserver God Vishnu, has a peacock plume in his crown.
Lord Krishna’s defeat of the demon Narakasura is furthermore, one of the reasons for the celebration of Deepavali. The other “main story” is that of Rama and Sita triumphantly returning to the city of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile. Rama and Sita are the avatars of Vishnu and Lakshmi.
The gist of it, the peacock is inseparable from Hindu culture and religious beliefs, from Deepavali/Diwali too, and that’s why they always feature prominently at the Little India festive light-ups.
Visually, nothing beats their regal forms too, right? Few birds are as exotic or divine. If you believe in the associated mythology, their appearance during the Festival of Lights is also an annual gathering of blessings in one of Singapore’s most colourful ethnic districts.
Welcoming Deepavali 2022 at Little India
Little India Deepavali Light-Up ends on Nov 11, 2022.
Read my other Festive Celebrations in Singapore posts.
