Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most joyful times of the year for many Hindu, Jain and Sikh families, and for others across India and the world. Homes are cleaned, lamps are lit and sweets are shared. You do not have to live in India to enjoy its warmth. Here is a gentle guide to celebrating Diwali at home, especially if it is new to you.
What Diwali celebrates
At its heart, Diwali, or Deepavali, celebrates the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. The stories behind it differ by region and community. In much of northern India, it recalls the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after years in exile. In parts of the south, it marks the victory of Krishna over the demon Narakasura. Jains honour the liberation of Mahavira, and Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas.
For many families, Diwali is also the festival of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and good fortune, who is welcomed into clean and brightly lit homes. The celebration traditionally spans five days, with the main evening, Lakshmi puja, falling on the third.
Preparing the home
Before Diwali, homes are traditionally cleaned from top to bottom. It is a way of making space for new beginnings. Declutter, wash the curtains, polish brass and sweep the doorstep. Fresh flowers, especially marigolds, and mango leaves or garlands on the door are lovely additions if you can find them.
Diyas and candles
The diya, a small clay lamp filled with oil or ghee and a cotton wick, is the symbol of Diwali. Lighting a row of them at dusk, along windowsills, steps and the entrance, is the most recognisable tradition. If you prefer, tea lights in small holders or candles in glass jars work beautifully too.
- Place lamps on a stable, heatproof surface, away from curtains, paper and decorations.
- Never leave open flames unattended, especially with children and pets around.
- Group the lights in odd numbers or in a simple pattern. There are no strict rules, so follow your own sense of what looks welcoming.
- Many people light one lamp first, with a quiet wish, and then use it to light the others.
Rangoli: colour for your doorstep
Rangoli are patterns drawn at the entrance of the home to welcome guests and, traditionally, Lakshmi herself. They are made with coloured rice flour, powders, flower petals or sand. Common motifs include lotus flowers, diyas, peacocks and geometric shapes, often arranged symmetrically.
- Choose a smooth, clean spot, such as a doorstep, a tray or a board, if the weather is wet.
- Sketch your design lightly first, then fill it in with colour. A dot grid helps with symmetry.
- For a beginner-friendly version, arrange flower petals or coloured lentils in concentric circles, with a diya in the centre.
- Rangoli is temporary by nature. Enjoy it for the few days and let it go.
A simple Lakshmi puja
Puja is a ritual of offering and thanks, and it can be very simple. Families have their own customs, so treat the following as a gentle outline rather than a rule:
- Choose a clean, quiet spot, ideally in the early evening after dusk. Place a small cloth on a low table and set out an image or statue of Lakshmi, often together with Ganesha.
- Light a diya and some incense.
- Offer fresh flowers, a few grains of rice, fruit and sweets.
- Sing or recite a prayer, or simply sit quietly and say thank you for what you have.
- Finish with an aarti: wave a lit lamp in a gentle clockwise circle in front of the image, while a bell is rung or a song is sung.
- Share the offerings afterwards as prasad, blessed food, with everyone present.
You may also like to place a few coins or a small dish of rice near the image, as a symbol of abundance.
Sweets and sharing
Diwali is as much about people as about lights. Families exchange boxes of sweets such as laddu, barfi, gulab jamun and kaju katli, visit neighbours and friends, and give small gifts. If you do not make sweets yourself, buying a box from an Indian shop is entirely in keeping with the spirit. Dried fruits, nuts and dates also make a lovely shared plate.
The spirit of the festival is generosity. Invite a friend, drop a plate of sweets at a neighbour's door, or give to a cause that matters to you.
Celebrating respectfully if you are new
Diwali belongs to the communities who have celebrated it for centuries, and you are welcome to join in with a respectful heart. A few simple points help:
- Learn a little about the stories and meaning, and say so if friends ask why you celebrate.
- Greet people with Shubh Deepavali or simply Happy Diwali.
- Treat sacred images, such as Lakshmi and Ganesha, as more than decoration. Keep them in a clean, honoured place, not on the floor or in the bathroom.
- Ask friends who celebrate about their own family customs, and listen.
- Choose quality, ethically made items where you can, and avoid fireworks near people, animals and dry places.
If you would like to bring some of this light into your own home, diyas, candles, incense and statues are waiting for you in our shop. Take your time, choose what feels right, and have a warm and bright Diwali.
