Happy Diwali! — The Sunch Spot

Hi Everyone,

I can't believe I spent the last week in Italy! It was amazing! I'll talk about that later! Today I wanted to do a special post on wishing everyone a VERY VERY Happy Diwali! Here's the elevator pitch of what Diwali is for those of you who don't know:

In Indian culture, Diwali or Deepawali is the Hindu festival of lights. The festival has different nuanced stories, but the overall message that most agree on is that it stands for the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness. Additionally, people in India consider Diwali as the Indian new year!

During this time, people light up their homes with diyas ( clay candles), make Rangolis (designs made out of colored powder), and do prayers to celebrate this beautiful times. They do fireworks as well and play fun games. I truly love this time of year and it makes me REALLY happy to spend time with family and friends. It is my favorite Indian holiday. I love the symbolic meaning of it and getting together with my loved ones in a joyous manner. Also, this festival defines a part of my identity that makes me different.

This year, I'm really really missing my mom and dad as they are having a blast in India celebrating Diwali at the homeland. Usually, I go back to Michigan and we have prayers, a party, sparklers, oodles of Indian food, and Rangoli making! Happy Diwali, Mom and Dad!

On the flip side, I also spent time with my sister and family friends who are basically family and we did all the Diwali activities, having tons of fun! The daughters of our family friends hold a special place in our hearts because they are close to us and their daughters have birthdays within one day of my sister and I’s birthday! One of the daughters is pictured above and the other one is further down in my pictures in my blog post!

In the spirit of why I started this blog, and starting an Indian New Year, here's a poem I wrote a long time ago on Diwali:

Diwali

The porch, lit, with clay candles or diyas,
In so many beautiful hues like deep pink, yellow, and red
Bringing in so much love, priya

Inside the house has been cleaned, removing clutter
Bringing in the purity of starting afresh
Uncluttered minds, making hearts happily flutter

Rangolis drawn in the the hallways
Of flowers, God, of OM
Keeping happiness in their hearts ablaze

Mithais, indian sweets, passed around
And the lingering tastes of burfee
Filled with sugar and pistachio sweetening my mouth, abound

People brought together wearing, bright beautiful sarees
Others wearing suits, and kurtis
Bright and bold, with lingering chunnis

Amongst the air of cleaned homes, sweetened mouths, rangolis, diyas
and beautiful outfits, I remember the story of Ram & Sita,

Sita saved by Rama from an evil God,
Reminding us to light our hearts for the good things

To fight for the good in life, to be there for our loved ones
To live the year with that spirit, that rigger, and that zest for life

Happy New Year All! Also, get some beautiful Indian outfits to start off your year at https://www.evasthra.com/

Here are some celebration pictures!

Burfee!

Diya!

Kimaya!