Diwali, known all over the world as the Festival of Lights, is a Hindu festival celebrated by more than one billion people. In Hindu mythology, it signifies the day that Lord Ram defeated the evil spirit Ravan and returned home to Ayodhya after a 14-year long exile. To me, Diwali represents a time of fun and togetherness with loved ones. As the latter half of the year rolls around, I find myself reminiscing about the countless Diwalis spent at home, and the traditions I remember fondly.

Preparing for Diwali

This festival is not just about the day of Diwali, but also the weeks preceding it, where we must prepare for the celebrations. At least a month before Diwali, we begin to clean the entire house, sort through our possessions, and donate anything we do not need or use anymore. This helps us start afresh in the new year.  

One of the biggest parts of Diwali is the decorations. Every year, I paint a traditional rangoli – a colourful geometric design – at the entrance of our house. We place a garland of flowers at the door, and twinkling fairy lights on the windows. Most importantly, every available surface of the house is covered with beautiful sparkling diyas. Diwali also celebrates Goddess Lakshmi, who brings good fortune. Stickers of her feet are placed at the door, signifying her entrance into the house. Finally, we stock up on boxes of homemade sweets and snacks to share with family and friends. 

Chhoti (little) Diwali is celebrated on the eve before Diwali. Five diyas are lit during a puja (prayer) and placed around and outside the house. 

The Day of Diwali

On the morning of the festival, we wake up to a house decorated to the nines. I wear my bright, embroidered traditional clothes, usually a churidar-kurta or a lehenga (skirt and blouse). We perform a puja in the late morning, where we offer halwa (semolina pudding), puri (deep-fried bread), fruits and vegetables to Lord Hanuman for his contribution to Lord Ram’s victory. The Hanuman Chalisa, an ode to Lord Hanuman, is also recited. A hearty lunch is had, and a slow afternoon follows, where we usually rest and spend time with family.

The main Diwali puja happens in the evening, where we light eleven diyas and pray to Goddess Lakshmi. After this is a flurry of meeting family and friends. We go to each other’s houses, and hugs and sweets are exchanged. There is laughter and storytelling, followed by all the children running outside for what is, in my opinion, the most fun part of the festival. We burst firecrackers with our friends, and the sky is lit up by a colourful shower of lights, truly making this festival live up to its name.  

How do you celebrate Diwali? Do you have any fond memories of it? If you have never celebrated Diwali, how would you like to celebrate it? Light a diya this year, or burst some firecrackers. Celebrate the Festival of Lights with me!

Keep your eyes open for the Reading Students’ Union Diwali event.