Diwali

Diwali is the most popular Indian Hindu festival celebrated in the month of October/November and it signifies the victory of light over darkness. The religious significance and the celebration of this festival differs across various parts of India. Diwali is synonymous with lights, fireworks, sweets, rangoli etc. Above all it is a celebration which brings together family and friends.

 ( Image source - google)

People in northern India celebrate Diwali to mark the return of lord Rama from the forest after 14 years. In Tamil Nadu, this festival is celebrated to mark the victory of lord krishna over the demon Narakasura. As a mark of signifying this fact, people burst crackers and fireworks on this day.

Diwali usually aligns with the new moon day in the tamil month of Ippasi (October - November).

This year the festival is on Thursday, 4th November 2021. 

The festive mood begins at least a month before the actual day of the festival with the purchase of new clothes, crackers etc. A variety of sweets and savouries are prepared at home to be shared amongst family and friends. In addition to the sweets and savouries we also prepare "Deepavali legiyam(marundhu)"  - this is made using easily available ingredients at home or nowadays readily available in shops too. This legiyam helps in digestion of all the festive dishes.  

People wake up early in the morning, take oil bath, wear new clothes and burst crackers. Special poojas are made in temples on this day. People visit friends and families on this day to share their joy of celebration. As far as I remember, this is the only festival in which shops are open till early morning on the festival day for the last minute shoppers too. Buses and trains run to their full capacity few days before and after this festival.

KOLAM IDEAS

For easy to draw kolam designs, check the below links from my kolam page:

1. Festival Kolams
2. Free Hand Designs
3. Flower Designs
4. Lamp Designs
5. Pooja Kolams

DIWALI SPECIAL DISHES

Listed below are some simple and easy to prepare recipes for this festival, as posted in my blog:

1. Aval ladoo - poha ladoo
2. Aval kesari - poha kesari
3. Beetroot Halwa
4. Carrot Halwa
5. Carrot Kheer
6. Corn flour halwa
7. Gulab Jamun with Instant Mix
8. Maa Ladoo
9. Rasmalai
10. Rava kesari
11. Semiya Kesari
12. Semiya Payasam
13. Badam Kheer
14. Coconut ladoo - with condensed milk
15. Savoury diamond cuts - maida salt biscuits

 

 

                 

   

   

DISCLAIMER

As this festival is celebrated in different ways across India, the customs and procedures also vary in each family. I have prepared this post purely based on the way we follow in our family. Please use this only as a reference for an insight into the festival. I shall update this page as and when applicable with new ideas and links to my recipes.