What is Diwali? What Does it Celebrate?
Diwali, or Deepavali, is by far the biggest and most important holiday in India. Deepa meaning lights, and avali meaning row in Sanskrit, Diwali is the Festival of Lights. The festival usually occurs sometime in late October to mid-November, depending on the Hindu lunar calendar.
Indians across the diaspora celebrate over the course of five days by lighting rows of diyas (clay lamps) and candles in every room of their house and outside of their house to invite light, prosperity, and happiness into their home. It also guards the family from evil and darkness.
In Hinduism, the day of Diwali marks the return of King Rama to Ayodhya, after he defeated the demon, Ravana. The story varies between regions and religions, but the point remains the same. It’s a celebration of the victory of light over darkness.
This festival isn’t just celebrated by Hindus in India, but also by Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs, and Christians who culturally celebrate it as well. People of the diaspora will invite their friends and extended family into their homes to celebrate our diverse customs and traditions over five days.
Tips for Hosting Diwali
Hosting Diwali is an amazing honor and an event that people will look forward to. The music needs to be boppin’, the décor must be on point, the fits will be fire, and the food and drinks are all anyone will be excited about. It’s a great way for family and friends to get together and for children to spend time with their cousins and embrace their culture.
Here are some suggestions to get ready for your Diwali party:
- Decorations. Consider a backdrop for guests to take pictures! Diyas with artificial flickering tealights, fairy lights, marigold garlands, block print tablecloths, and saris tied on the stairs or adorning doorways are lovely, classic ways to decorate. A rangoli is a nice touch outside your entry door to welcome guests. Another detail is setting up your home altar with offerings, flowers, and string lights.
- Setting up your food. If celebrating with close family friends, it’s common to set up a potluck on an island where everyone can dig in. For large parties, consider hiring an Indian restaurant to cater and they’ll include everything you need for your setup! Add a few diyas, flowers, and napkins with traditional motifs to spruce it up. For a Diwali dinner party, a block print tablecloth with your best colorful dinnerware and drinkware is perfect. Orange and red flowers with tapered candles will keep the feeling intimate and elegant.
- Music and dancing. Curate a list of upbeat Bollywood songs to keep your guests in high spirits. Be sure to add the popular songs with iconic dances (we’re thinking Maahi Ve!) to get the dance floor going!
- Entertainment. A photo booth, DIY rangoli, and a henna artist are great ways to add creativity to your party! We’ve also done Rangoli competitions, played Antakshari and card games, set up a carrom board, sang karaoke, and played musical chairs with a prize at the end for kids. If your guests showed up and showed out in Indian fashion, have them walk the runway! For the kids, reading children’s books that educate them on the meaning behind the festival is a great way to get them involved and keep them entertained. End the night with fireworks (if it’s legal in your state) and sparklers!
- Party Favors. A prasad goodie bag filled with traditional Indian sweets plus a diya is an ideal gift to send your guests home with! For an upscale gift, there are several South Asian-owned brands to support that have products perfect for Diwali gifts.
How to be the Best Diwali Guest
So… you got a coveted invite to celebrate Diwali.
Getting invited to your first Diwali celebration can be super intimidating! You may get invited to prayers the day of Diwali or to a full-out Diwali party before or after the holiday. They both are completely different vibes. Here’s how to prepare for either situation.
Diwali is a time for prayers, reflection, happiness, and joy. Many families open their homes to relatives and close friends. Here are our best tips for being the best guest at someone’s Diwali prayers:
- Wear appropriate clothing. Brand new clothes are important for Diwali but lightly used is the next best option. For men, a simple kurtha is typical. For women, there’s a plethora of Diwali styles to choose from but choose something comfortable – prayers may last up to an hour. Business casual is also acceptable.
- Bring a gift. Fresh flowers, Indian sweets, or fruits are a great idea to add to the prasad (offerings). Sparklers, diyas, and candles are on theme. There are also several South Asian brands that put out special products and gifts for Diwali.
- Be prepared to feast on vegetarian food and alcohol-free drinks. Most families don’t eat meat or consume alcohol on Diwali, but you’ll also find that some families don’t mind meat on Diwali. The food will still be very hearty and include freshly fried snacks, curries, and mithais!
- Prayers vary from family to family. Participate the best you can and feel free to ask questions after prayers. There’s significance in every family’s different traditions that are passed down from generation to generation.
- There may be patakhe (sparklers/fireworks)! Get in the celebratory mood and don’t forget to take pictures.
- Don’t forget to light a diya and ask where you can safely place it in their home. Diyas go in every room of the house and stay lit until the next day or until they run out of burn time.
Desis love to party, so you may be invited to a Diwali party that doesn’t fall on Diwali itself and it doesn’t include prayers. Here are some suggestions for attending a Diwali party:
- For clothing, be bold and sparkly. This is your chance to get fancy and explore Indian fashion!
- Ask the host what you can bring. Desis love a potluck and a variety of food. The more, the merrier! They may say don’t bring anything, but you should bring something even if it’s drinks or flowers.
- Get your dance moves out! There will be amazing food, drinks flowing, and music for dancing.
- Have a good time!! Desi parties are vibrant and so much fun. You’ll feel like a part of the family and have a memorable night.
How to Join the Celebrations at Home
You don’t have to be Hindu or part of the Indian diaspora to join in Diwali celebrations! Diwali is celebrated by a billion people globally and the customs and traditions are diverse from family to family.
Some traditions include:
- Cleaning your home from top to bottom, including polishing silver and gold. It’s also a good time to buy new gold to bring good fortune. This is known as the first day of Diwali, or Dhanteras.
- Decorate your home with diyas(clay lamps) and rangolis (colored sand artwork). Plain candles work, too! Lighting a diya invites the presence of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
- Wear a new outfit to visit your friends and relatives to receive and give gifts and best wishes.
- Check out your local events going on for Diwali, perhaps there’s a fireworks display to enjoy!
- The last day, Bhai Dooj, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters where they pray for each other’s well-being and success.
And our favorite - enjoy festival food, like gulab jamun, chaat, samosas, barfi, lassi, kachori, etc.
Medjool dates became extremely popular in India during the spread of Islam, since it was already popular in the Middle East. Now, dates make their way into Diwali festival food in chutneys and especially in desserts. They provide an alternative, heart-healthy, and sugar-free option to desis looking to avoid the wild amounts of fried food and desserts everywhere.
Food to Serve at Diwali
Here are a few recipes you can enjoy! It’s best to consider which dishes you can prep ahead of time and what needs to be cooked the day of your party. Condiments like chutney can be made a week ahead and stay fresh in the refrigerator. Samosas can be assembled and frozen, then fried fresh before guests arrive.
Snacks and Appetizers
Popular snacks during Diwali are usually samosas, fried food, or namkeen (snacks). It’s pretty typical to have an assortment of chaat to serve while friends and family visit.
Desserts
Desserts are what most associate with a Diwali feast! Date Nut Ladoos and Stuffed Dates are a must for family members with dietary restrictions who are cutting back on sugar or want a heart-healthy option.
Drinks
Chai is a great way of welcoming guests and keeping their spirits up as they celebrate! Other popular drinks are lassis and milkshakes.
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Shweta is the founder and creator behind all things Masala and Chai. Created in 2020, Masala and Chai showcases accessible and comprehensive Indian-inspired and authentic recipes, as well as resources to learn about the techniques, ingredients, and culture behind Indian food. Shweta currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona.