For those who are unaware, any Diwali gathering or celebration is deemed incomplete without a round of gambling and Tombola. How is it that the festival of lights came to be associated with games of chance and gambling? Before we get into the how, let’s first talk about the game itself.
What is Tombola?
Tombola is an Asian version of the more popular Bingo. It’s a game of numbers and luck. The game requires a host to call out numbers 1 to 90, one at a time. The rest of the players need to look out for what number is being called out and strike it out if it’s on their tickets. On HatQuest Tombola, the numbers are picked at random by our system.
There are various winning positions in a game of Tombola, but the only catch is that players have to call it to win it. So, they have to be their most alert selves during a game of Tombola.
It is a game of chance and alertness. Winners of every category are given prizes, either in cash or in kind.
Why are gambling and Tombola a part of Diwali?
Diwali commemorates a lot of historical events and events of religious importance. The festival signifies piety and purity, but it is also the festival most associated with fun for Indian families. Playing cards, Tombola, and other games involving chance, money, and gambling make up the most popular traditions during Diwali. Although gambling is illegal in India and is generally frowned upon, on this day of the year, the family’s elders and youngsters all get together to take part in this fun activity.
If you’re wondering how an otherwise illegal game found its place amidst Diwali rituals, the answer is in Mythology. It is believed that on the day of Diwali, Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, roams the Earth and blesses her followers with wealth and happiness. People clean and decorate their houses as a way to welcome the Goddess. Gambling on Diwali night is believed to invoke Lakshmi, who may then shower blessings on the household for the rest of the year. Some households also hold the tradition of always allowing the women in the family to win, signifying the blessing of the Goddess.
There are also other mythological accounts of why people gamble on the night of Diwali, the most prominent one being the game of dice between Lord Shiva and his consort, Parvati. All in all, praying for health in the form of gambling is thought of as acceptable in a lot of Indian cultures. Games like Tombola, Rummy, and any others that involve chance and money, are considered to be auspicious on the day of Diwali.
Play Tombola on HatQuest
Whether it’s a family get together or an office party, you can host a round of HatQuest Tombola. All you need to do is start a game, share the link and begin! The best part is that you can host the game for real time, remote or hybrid gatherings.
Here’s all you need to know about HatQuest Tombola.
