Diwali: The Festival of Lights

Last Tuesday, I left Malaysia, and returned to India.  Just in time for my all time favorite holiday: Diwali.

As a child, I looked forward to Diwali for two reasons, fireworks and it meant that it was almost my birthday.  While our celebrations have always been grand, and include fireworks, somehow I feel that nothing could compare to the chaos of India on Diwali night.

With only minor amounts of self-control, I went with my uncle and cousin to pick out fire crackers for the evening.  At the fair, we faced the task of selecting only a few fireworks from a huge array that ranged from small sparklers to large charges that I have only seen used by professionals in the US.  We selected a small variety of flower pots, sparklers, chakras, and shots before heading home to prepare.

I will not lie, it was hard to wait until evening, especially once the neighbors started lighting off fireworks.  First, I lite about a dozen Diyas and carefully placed them around the house as decoration.  Then we migrated downstairs, determined to add to the neighborhood display.  Instead of describing the experience, I will let the following clip give you an idea of the experience.

Light and Love

While it is easy to get caught up in the colorful and exciting displays, Diwali is more than just fireworks. It is a holiday that celebrates good and light overcoming evil and darkness.  In today’s world, this message holds more meaning.  I feel strongly that if we work towards bringing kindness into every aspect of our lives, then we too can be like the diya flame, lighting up the world in which we live.  It is this message that I hold on to now, as I travel and explore the world.