Diwali or Deepavali (as called in the southern part of India) – the festival of lights has all the charm, grandeur and is one of the most gloriously celebrated of all Indian festivals. It is celebrated on the new moon day (Kartika Amavasya) when there is supreme darkness everywhere which is why the whole of India transcends into a land of myriad lamps. The presence of light means the non- existence of darkness and evil forces. So diyas (earthen lamps) are lit in every corner of the house to weaken the negative energy. While people will be wearing new clothes, buying lanterns and other decors for the home, a big part of the Festival of Lights is lighting diyas.
At my home, festivals are always celebrated with lots of food with family and friends. Diwali was a little more special than the other festivals. The day was filled with tons of excitement and energy. While the afternoons were spent overeating all the delicious food and chatting; in the evenings we would light dozens of diyas often making a little competition of it with our neighbors to see whose house had more. This was one of the little joys of Diwali.
And then, of course, the much-awaited part of the festival – the fireworks. We would light piles of firecrackers, lighting up our driveways, and the skies with showers of sparkles. As a child, I remember those very young days where I used to load my Patakha gun (toy-gun) with the cracker reels and spent the whole week of Diwali firing it and scaring my sisters with it.
As years went by, we stopped burning firecrackers realizing its social impact and the dangerously increasing pollutions levels on the environment and animals, especially on this day.
We decided to let go of all the usual celebration ways and just enjoyed the festival by lighting diyas and spending more quality time with family at home. Since that time we celebrated Diwali by lighting sky lanterns instead of burning firecrackers. Making a wish while the lantern flew up and above in the sky; in the silence of it all, I felt the true essence of the festival.
It is perhaps in our best interest to let go of certain traditions and embrace the change, no matter how hard it may feel. And there are some traditions we should hold on to, at least so long as they continue to make sense.
While traditions are meant to stay the same, I have learnt that the traditions must evolve and change with the times.
Reminiscing through my last few Diwalis at home, what I miss the most is being with family and celebrating with them. Being away from home and with all the nostalgia I am flooded with, I try to recreate a little of those experiences. I call my mom to find out the festive recipes and try cooking the same way though it rarely comes close to that taste of mom-made food. But anything was never quite the same so far away from home.
What I was missing wasn’t the toy gun or the firecrackers, or the new clothes. It was the shared joy between friends & family; it was having lunch together on our dining table and spending time in the company of loved ones. It was that feeling that I am nostalgic for, especially during festivals. This Diwali again, I will miss my family so much. I hope to see them soon.
Whether you are celebrating a happy silent Diwali, or one echoing with the sounds of firecrackers and laughter, I hope that it is a joyous one, filled with memories of togetherness and love.
A very happy Deepawali to you all.
Deckers Careers 