Diwali! the Festival of Lights

Perhaps the most important and widely celebrated Indian holiday is Diwali, the Festival of Lights.  Based in Hindu mythology, Diwali is a celebration of light overcoming darkness, and today it has become a time for families to gather, exchange gifts, eat sweets and set off fireworks. We spent Diwali (November 5th) in New Delhi with Shubhendra, Saskia and Ishaan. In American terms, Diwali is sort of like July 4th meets Christmas meets New Years meets Chanukah meets 1 billion crazy people. Imagine the finale of the most epic firework show you've ever seen, going on for 7 or 8 hours straight... in EVERY direction you could possibly look. In fact, some people haven't gotten the memo that Diwali has ended and have continued to set off fireworks all week!

Days before Diwali begins, shops are filled with flowers, sweets and fire crackers

We spent Diwali eve preparing the house for festivities and playing traditional Indian board games. We started by painting candle holders and adorning the house with electric lights and candles. We set up a shrine for the Hindu gods and placed flower garlands all around the house. Once the house was prepared, the board game tournament began. It is tradition to spend the night before Diwali gambling, so we played for chocolate coins. Ishaan won every game.

Painting candle holders

Our shrine included candles, flowers and mini statues of Ganesh- the Hindu god of good fortune

Ishaan and Shubhendra lighting candles on the balcony

Ishaan teaching us how to play Kavade

We spent the night of Diwali inside our beautifully lit up home and on the streets setting off fireworks galore.

Cassie enjoying the calm before the storm... of explosions

How much money would I be fined if I did this in Boston??

Ishaan mesmerized by the ball of fire in his hands

Light overcomes darkness before our very eyes... especially when 1 billion+ people are setting off fireworks

It's okay Ishaan... it was pretty scary for us too!