Hindu festival in the Swedish context : A qualitative interview study on how the Hindu festivals Navarātri and Diwali are celebrated in Sweden

This present study describes how two of the most popular Hindu festivals, Navarātri and Diwali, are celebrated in Sweden. With the help of six qualitative interviews with members of Hindu organization active in Sweden. The results shows that the festivals, Navarātri and Diwali, are celebrated in Sweden but a couple of adjustments have been made to the Swedish context. These adaptions concern the time aspect, the extent to which pūjā is performed, how statues are used and how to prepare for the celebration. The adjustments made in the Swedish context depend on the material and structural resources available in Sweden. The results also shows that the celebration of the festivals are important for the diaspora hindus that lives in Sweden. The festivals honor the values that Hinduism are based on therefore the festivals are important for the diaspora hindus.