Despite the days getting shorter, and the air becoming bitterly cold, this time of year couldn’t be merrier, right? Cable knit sweaters, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and the autumn colors of red, yellow, and orange…the list of comfort-provoking aspects of the season goes on. And every year, I have a reason to love this season even more–and that’s Diwali.
What is Diwali, you ask? It’s the Indian New Year, but unlike the alcohol and party driven New Years we celebrate here, this holiday is more sobering. So, I guess it’s more like Christmas, in practice–if Christmas were five days long. Just like with every holiday, there are certain traditions that I always associate with this time of year, and despite how ordinary they are, they’re what define Diwali for me.
1) Praying to Laxmi Devi (the goddess of wealth) on Dhanteras (the first day of Diwali) for a financially prosperous year. The highlight of the whole ritual would be when I get to wash gold and silver coins in milk and water–I don’t know why it is my favorite part, it just is.
2) Driving to Flushing in order to first go to the Jain Temple to pray (since I’m Jain). Then stopping over at the Hindu Temple, not so much to pray there, but for the dosa and rasamvada they sell in their basement.
3) Purchasing illegal fireworks (they were just sparklers, don’t worry) and lighting them up in the middle of the night, hoping no police would crash the party.
4) Gifts
5) Spring cleaning in November
6) Diwali ads on Indian TV, especially the ones from the early 2000s that STILL run to this day.
7) FOOD
8) The smell of incense in the house
9) The Diwali festival in South Street Seaport
10) Major Bollywood blockbusters released at this time
11) And my ultimate favorite aspect of Diwali–the special responsibility of lighting all the candles in our lamps. Even when it was windy outside and the flame would die in a matter of seconds.
Sadly, I won’t be home for this Diwali, and while I would love to recreate the Diwali spirit here, the high potential that I will burn down Warren Towers has prevented me from doing such. Therefore, I’ve come up with a way to celebrate that I like to call “Diwali Lite.” It’ll never compare to spending Diwali at home, especially if you are from India where this holiday is truly legitimate, but it helps.
Celebrating Diwali Lite
1) Ready-made packets of Indian food–it’s a hundred times better than you think packeted food may be.
2) Switching on a battery powered candle…at least the “flame” won’t die out?
3) Taking your Bollywood Movie Binge Watching skills to the next level
4) I know you really don’t want to do this…But clean your room!
5) Shop. Treat Yo Self. Who couldn’t use a second Christmas?!
6) Take a moment to spend time with those you really care for. Spend extra time with your friends. Call your parents.
Despite all these festivities, which can help you get into the Diwali spirit, I really hope that you take some time to better yourself this week, and to take time to appreciate the fortunate life you have, and to acknowledge what makes you a good person. After all, that’s what Diwali is really about.
Happy Diwali. Naya Saal Mubharak.
Photo Credit: Taken by Ramesh NG,originally posted to Flickr as Sparklers at Diwali 2010,own work
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