Every year, when our home begins to glow with lights and the smell of Indian food fills the kitchen, I know Diwali is almost here. For my family, Diwali has always felt as exciting and important as Christmas, a time filled with family, friends, traditions, food, laughter, and celebration.
Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, is one of India’s most celebrated holidays. This year, it falls on November 8th. At its heart, Diwali represents the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over uncertainty. Families light diyas (small clay lamps), create colorful rangoli, decorative patterns made with colored powders, flowers, or rice, dress in traditional Indian clothes, exchange sweets and spend time with the people they love.
I was born in Seattle and moved to Southern California when I was only a year old. Growing up, my parents always made sure my brother, Millen, and I stayed connected to our Indian heritage.
Some of my earliest Diwali memories are from school. Since preschool, my mom would come into my classroom, read books about Diwali, and bring little gifts and notes for my classmates. When I was younger, I just thought it was fun. Now I realize she was also teaching me to be proud of where our family came from and giving my friends a chance to understand our culture.
Food is also a huge part of Diwali in our family. My Nani has passed down family recipes to my mom over the years, and as I’ve gotten older, she has started teaching me, too. I love knowing that some of the foods we make today have been made in our family for generations. It makes something as simple as cooking together feel like another way of keeping our culture alive.
At home, Diwali has always been a big celebration. Our house is covered in lights and decorations, and family and friends gather for delicious food, sweets, music, and dancing.
As I get older, I’m especially thankful that my parents, Nani, and extended family have given us a childhood where we can grow up American while still knowing and loving our Indian roots.
Diwali is more than a holiday I grew up celebrating. It’s a piece of home and a light I’ll always carry with me.