Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is one of the most vibrant
and meaningful holidays for many Indian people. At
this time of the year, my house is always filled with loud
chatter, and sweet smells throughout the air. The origin
story of Diwali itself varies regionally and the beliefs
that one follows. The first version, typically believed by
people in the northern part of India, describes the return
of Prince Rama, the righteous prince who returns back to
his kingdom of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and defeats
the demon king Ravana. After his
arrival, his subjects all light lamps
to celebrate the arrival of their king.
The second story, believed
by many living in Southern
India, tells of the defeat of the
demon king Narakasura by
Lord Krishna and his wife
Satyabhama. The third story
states that by lighting lamps,
you’re inviting the Goddess
Lakshmi, the goddess of
wealth, into your home to
bring prosperity and blessings. No matter the version, the
meaning of Diwali always remains the same: there will
always be light where there is darkness.

Diwali is a time when my home overflows with people,
incense, and delicious smells from the food. My family
celebrates the festival in many ways, ranging from
actions with underlying spiritual meaning, to pure
enjoyment.

The spiritual heart of the evening begins with a
quiet ritual. We gather for a small, personalized
puja (prayer ceremony) right at home. Every
corner of the house is illuminated with dozens of
tiny diyas (or oil lamps). Usually, diyas are made
of clay, either bought, painted, or molded at home.
As we kneel together to offer prayers for prosperity,
health, and well-being, we take advantage of this
ritual as an intimate moment of reflection to start
the holiday off. Following the ceremony at home,
we always make a trip to the temple, dressed in
our newest and most colorful traditional clothes,
wearing fun pieces of jewelry, and sometimes flowers
in our hair. The temple is always bustling with people
during this time of year and decorated with flowers or other
decorations, creating a joyous atmosphere.

After the spiritual observances, the celebration
spills out into the neighborhood. Sharing joy is a core
part of Diwali, which my family commits to by
meticulously preparing and handing out sweets,
trays of kaju katli, ladoos, and barfi to every one
of our neighbors. This tradition of exchanging
food connects everyone within the community.

The day ends with a big celebration. We
gather with an excited group of friends and
family outside for the grand finale of the day:
lighting firecrackers and colorful fireworks. It’s
a spectacular show of collective joy, watching
the night sky ignite in brilliant gold, red, and
green bursts. At the end of the night, everyone,
despite smelling like smoke, is full of laughter
and joy. For us, and many Indian-Americans,
Diwali is one of the most important times
of the year. In places away from India, it’s
one of the few holidays that anchors many
immigrants to their culture back home. 

Inside Diwali: lamps, lights, and longing

Hoyoun Lee '24: "My favorite movie is 'High School Musical,' and I think that it's something that everyone should watch once in their lives"
Vince Sheire '25: "My favorite original Disney Channel movie is 'Avalon High,' because growing up it was something that I really enjoyed watching"
Myrrah Shapoo '23: "Oh lord, this is tough. But I would probably have to say 'Geek Charming' was my favorite movie. Even though the actor sucks and is a terrible person, that movie is just so good."

Gayathri Kilaru's Work