When I asked my friend Anjali about Diwali, the lights in her eyes said it all. Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali isn’t just a holiday; it’s a time when communities gather, traditions are shared, and people celebrate the triumph of good over evil. For Anjali, Diwali represents family, culture, and the warmth of shared memories, steeped in rituals she’s carried from her home in India to her new life in the U.S.
What is Diwali?
Diwali holds different meanings across the regions of India, though its essence is shared: light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance. The festival is most famously tied to the ancient tale of The Ramayana, a story in which Prince Rama defeats the demon king Ravana. Upon his victorious return home, the townspeople light lamps, or diyas, to welcome him back, illuminating the night as if it were daytime. The annual celebration continues as people light diyas in honor of that return, symbolizing hope, resilience, and triumph.
Anjali shared her own family’s tradition of lighting between 20 and 30 diyas, placing them in every room of the house. As the lamps glow, they bring warmth to every corner, creating a serene, sacred space for connection and gratitude.
Diwali’s Deeper Meaning: Anjali’s Perspective
For Anjali, Diwali is a time to reconnect with family. “In India,” she shared, “families live in different cities, and Diwali is one of the only times we get to come together.” Diwali spans three days, each day holding unique rituals.
On the first day, they honor Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, with rituals focused on prosperity and good fortune. “We place offerings on our money or near where money is kept, hoping for blessings in the year ahead,” Anjali explained.
Day two, she explained, is all about self-care. The eldest family member bathes everyone, a ritual honoring care for the body and spirit. “Bathtubs are less common in India, so we fill buckets and bathe in a more traditional way,” Anjali mentioned with a smile, recalling memories of simpler times.
Finally, on the third day, the family conducts a long puja, or prayer ritual, reciting mantras and offering prayers to statues of deities. These moments of prayer and ritual tie the family to generations past, preserving a deeply spiritual connection with their roots.
Memories of Diwali Past
When asked about her earliest memories of Diwali, Anjali’s mind drifted back to her childhood home filled with family and tradition. She recalled all of her cousins helping to decorate the entrance with marigold flowers and banana leaves, making the house glow with color and festivity.
Regional Differences in Diwali
Diwali celebrations vary widely across India, from rural villages to bustling cities. Anjali explained how smaller towns celebrate more traditionally, with temple visits and community gatherings. Meanwhile, in bigger cities, Diwali is often a fusion of festivity and luxury, with large gatherings, firecrackers, and lavish displays. In urban areas, Diwali parties are common, often featuring shared meals and even some gambling with friends and family, where a Diwali win is considered particularly lucky.
Celebrating Diwali Abroad
Anjali’s first Diwali in the United States was in 2021, a year when she had to adapt her usual traditions. She invited friends over, cooked a feast, and followed her father’s guidance for the rituals over a video call. He chanted the prayers as she followed along, recreating the magic of home in a new land.
In India, Anjali’s family would dress in new clothes and gift new outfits to all of the workers and helpers. It was a day to eat and celebrate together, recognizing the value of everyone’s contribution to the community.
Diwali Today: Tradition and Change
As Diwali approaches this year, Anjali continues to cherish the festival’s significance. She lights her lamps, celebrates with family, and remembers the love and light that Diwali has always represented. Whether celebrating in India or creating new memories abroad, Diwali is, at its heart, a reminder to come together, honor our traditions, and illuminate the world with love and kindness.
This Diwali, let’s all find a way to welcome a little more light into our lives and share it with those around us. As Anjali’s story shows, no matter where you are, Diwali is a time to reflect on gratitude, connection, and the enduring power of hope.