The Festival of Lights

As I wrap up the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend, I can’t help but reflect on the biggest holiday celebrated in India - Diwali.

When I was younger, my elementary school would let you bring in a guardian for show and tell. While my friends would bring in their parents to explain their most recent holidays, or their last time going to the movies, or the last rock that they found, I always brought in my mom to read the story of Diwali. 

For me, Diwali always meant good. I would dress up in the traditional kurta, go to school and read about the endeavors of Rama, and then come home and eat a big Indian dinner. We would all sit around the fireplace and light diyas–decorative candles –guiding Rama back home. Even though Diwali wasn’t recognized as a holiday when I was younger, I still thought of it as one. I would enjoy my sweets and teach my friends about the significance of the day - something that I normally didn’t get to do. 

As of 2023, New York State governor Kathy Hochul signed the law making Diwali a public school holiday. While I can’t celebrate the holiday with my friends at school, I enjoy spending time with my family and receiving texts from my friends saying: “Happy Diwali!” For me, it was very important that the state of NY recognized Diwali as a holiday for schools. Instead of teaching my friends about it, my friends now research it once they realize that they have the day off!

At home, our day starts normal - we eat breakfast, brush our teeth, and go outside to play with friends. However, as the sun starts to set, the celebrations start to rise. Before dinner, we put on our kurtas - traditional Indian clothing - and set the dining table. My mom always makes a big traditional Indian meal, and after dinner, we set out figures of deities near the fireplace. We offer them rice, fruit and sweets to show our appreciation. We thank them and ask them for a better year, full of prosperity and hard work.