Earlier this week, as I was tucking my 8-year-old into bed, she asked me “mummy, why do we celebrate Diwali if we’re Christians?”
I paused before answering, not because I was unsure, but because the answer has so many layers. Immediately, memories came flooding back of Diwali growing up came flooding back: being part of Hindu celebrations at my granny’s house, lighting diyas with family and friends, eating curry on a sohari leaf with my hands, and savouring the warm, sweet parsad in the car on my way home.
I’m not going to lie … I vividly remember being absolutely petrified of burning myself with the flame of the diya! But what I loved most was that sense of coming together and seeing the flames dance on the bent bamboo.
So I kept my answer simple. I said to her “well, Granny Parbatee, who was Grandad’s mummy, was Hindu and she celebrated Diwali. And in our family, we choose to celebrate Diwali. Even though we’re Christians, we can still respect and celebrate other religious festivals.”
For me it’s also because it makes me feel close to my granny’s spirit, it’s part of my culture, it allows me to share our family’s stories and traditions with my daughters. And I love what Diwali continues to symbolise: the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and wisdom over ignorance.
How we celebrate Diwali in our multi-cultural home
reading our Diwali book for a bedtime story
inviting our friends over for curry (on a plate sadly, instead of a sohari leaf)
lighting a diya (or a candle if little hands are involved)
talking about our heritage and culture
Whether you celebrate as a Hindu, join in the festivities as a family friend or choose to read a Diwali story at bedtime with your little one - I wish you and your family a happy and prosperous Diwali! May your Diwali be filled with love, laughter, and light.
Diwali with food allergies
If you’re hosting or attending Diwali celebrations this year, here are my tips for navigating Diwali with food allergies.
Warmly,
Daniella