Diwali – The Festival Of Lights

India is a multi culture, multi ethnic and multi religion country . There is hardly any culture in the world that is as varied as Indian culture. Because of the religious diversity in India, there are holidays for Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Jains and Parsis. Many major holidays are observed throughout the country, but the way they are celebrated varies from region to region. Visiting India during a festival is a chance to glimpse the heart and soul of this country.

A traditional Indian Thaali ( platter )

Diwali is the grandest and most significant festivals in Indian culture and is celebrated among Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world every year in autumn. It usually falls in October or November, as decided by the Hindu lunar calendar. It’s a five-day festival of lights, which coincides with the Hindu New Year. There are many legends surrounding the actual origin of Diwali but each story has a common thread -triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. We light candles and Diyas to illuminate our homes and hearts so we can remove the negative vibes and replace them with positivity and love for each other. The actual day of Diwali is traditionally celebrated on the festival’s third day, which this year falls on Friday, November 1st. It is reminiscent of Christmas in Western countries.

Diwali appetizers  for my Cooking School: Happiness is home made !

How is Diwali celebrated?

Few weeks before Diwali,people start cleaning their homes and offices( like spring cleaning here ) . Many people believe this invites wealth and prosperity into your home.  A week before Diwali, they start decorating their houses with colorful rangoli artwork ( patterns made with colored rice flours, flowers or paint )and they light up their houses with traditional earthen diyas ( candles) . On the night of Diwali, people dress in their best clothes, wish each other a Happy Diwali , light lamps and candles, offer prayers which is followed by a family feast and exchange of gifts and finally the fireworks.

My cooking school students learning to make Rangoli with colored rice.

Recently, I had this wonderful opportunity to host a Diwali party for my cooking school students. My aim was to help them know more about Diwali and Indian culture in general. So I planned a couple of craft activities for all the guests. They learned how to paint Diyas, and also made rice rangolis, danced on Bollywood numbers and of course there was a complete vegetarian Indian meal too. The original plan was to make rangoli at the entrance door but of course the weather Gods decided something else. It was freezing outside and so we made a rangoli on a white card board , which was actually even better as it can be used later too.  To help them truly  immerse in the Festive Indian spirit, each guest was provided  with a traditional Indian outfit  for the event, which they really enjoyed wearing. We truly had a wonderful time together.

Painting the Diyas

Creativity at its best !

There is so much to share about Indian culture but so little time ….I tried my best .

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 As an Indian parent in a foreign land ,I want my kids not just to celebrate Diwali but also to experience this fun festival. So , we don’t just talk about it. I make sure they are involved in some of the prep work, take them shopping for candles, gifts, fireworks, clothes and groceries. We make some kind of Diwali craft together. When they grow up, I want them to remember that Diwali was all things homemade with love.

Some Diwali crafts by my kids – Diyas and glass candle jars

Wishing all my readers a very Happy and Prosperous Diwali.