Here’s what some of our staff had to say:
“I love celebrating Diwali! Growing up outside of India, it was always hard to establish a connection with my cultural roots; Diwali was one of the festivals that opened up that connection for me and helped instil the cultural values that are a big part of who I am today!
My parents have always made Diwali so special (to this day), filled with so much food, the best sweet treats and spending time with loved ones!! I love lighting candles, decorating the house, and, of course, lighting Sparklers with my nearest and dearest.” – Varisha.
“Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, meaning “row of lights.” It marks the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil. Though Diwali traditions vary according to region and religion, the myths and historical stories behind the holiday share themes of justice and liberation.” – Annu.
“Diwali is the best festival ever. I love lighting crackers and fireworks and enjoy sweets and lots of food. We give gifts to our near and dear.” – Renuka.
“One of the ways people celebrate Diwali is by decorating their homes with colourful rangoli designs (traditional Hindu decoration on a floor or flat surface), lighting Diyas (lamps) or displaying lights around the house. People also celebrate by lighting fireworks or sparklers. “ – Harshil.
“Diwali to me is the celebration of the winning of light over the darkness, the right over the wrong and the good over the evil.
I celebrate this day by sharing sweets with loved ones and lighting Diyas and candles in and around my house.
The significance of this festival to me is that this is a reminder that no matter what, only the truth prevails.” – Aiswarya.
“Diwali is a vibrant celebration that fosters community, love, and the spirit of giving. It brings together families and friends, reminding everyone of the importance of light in overcoming darkness.” – Ravinder.
“On the day of Diwali, I like to visit the temple, where I pray to Mother Lakshmi. We worship Goddess Lakshmi for peace, prosperity, and wealth.
We light our homes with divas, an oil lamp made from clay. We light them by using a cotton wick dipped in ghee or oil. This is one of the reasons that Diwali is called as “The Festival of Lights.”
We also share sweets with our friends and family. There are many delicious milk sweets, cashew sweets, and almond sweets my family prepares, but out of all these delectable desserts, my favourite is Gulab Jamun.
The most enjoyable part of Diwali for me is lighting sparklers with my family. The magnanimous light of the sparklers and saying “Happy Diwali” to my family helps me find the true spirit of Diwali, which is togetherness.
Diwali gives us hope for new beginnings. Diwali brings all of us together in the spirit of celebration, joy, and happiness.” – Balraj.
“I am from North India, where we celebrate a five-day festival starting with Dhanteras. On this day, it is customary to buy something new for the home, such as gold, silver, or steel utensils.
The next day is Chhoti Diwali, when we visit special places in our village, like old wells or social gathering spots, and light diyas to illuminate them.
On Diwali, the main festival, women adorn themselves with henna (mehndi) on their hands, adding a beautiful traditional touch to their preparations. Everyone dresses in their finest clothes, ready to celebrate the festival with joy and excitement. All family members go to the fields where we have a place dedicated to our ancestors who are no longer with us. We offer prayers, eat khichdi (a dish made with rice and lentils) together, and then enjoy fireworks. In the evening, we perform Lakshmi Poojan and decorate our homes with lights and rangoli, exchanging gifts with loved ones.
The following day is Goverdhan Pooja, where we create a representation of Goverdhan using cow dung and worship it, followed by more fireworks.
The festival concludes with Bhai Dooj, a special day when brothers visit their married sisters, bringing gifts like clothes, sweets, and her favourite treats. Together, they celebrate this beautiful bond of sibling love.
It’s not just a festival of rituals but also a time for family reunions and social harmony”. – Sonia
We wish everyone celebrating a very happy Diwali!