About Diwali
Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is a five-day celebration of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Primarily a Hindu holiday, it's observed by several religions with a spirit of renewal and togetherness. The specific customs and traditions can vary, but generally it's a time for families to gather, celebrate their cultural heritage, express gratitude and share joy.
How Diwali is Celebrated
Commonly, Diwali is celebrated with cleaning the home, decorating, gathering with good food and the sharing of stories. Cleaning symbolizes the removal of negativity and the welcoming of positivity. Homes are then adorned with rangoli (colorful designs made on the floor), flowers and lights to create a festive and inviting ambiance.
Celebrants often dress in their finest traditional attire for Diwali. Prayer ceremonies are held to seek the blessings of deities, especially Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha and Lord Rama. These rituals involve lighting diyas (oil lamps and candles), giving offerings and conducting prayers to invoke blessings, prosperity and well-being. Celebrants exchange gifts of sweets, dried fruit, clothing and other items.
Elaborate feasts are a hallmark of Diwali celebrations! Families prepare a variety of delicious traditional dishes and sweets. Sharing meals brings people together and adds to the festive spirit. Some engage in acts of charity and goodwill during Diwali by donating to those in need, distributing food or contributing to charity. This aligns with the spirit of giving and sharing.
Diwali Decor
CRAFT Gold Hammered Metal Tray
Gold And Blue Metal Hammered Serving Tray
Round Gold Metal Etched Mandala Spice Box with Containers
Cotton Slub Napkins With Fringe Set Of 4
The Ritual of Diyas
The lighting of diyas during Diwali holds deep symbolic and cultural significance. As Diwali is often referred to as the Festival of Lights, they represent the victory of light over darkness, the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the return of Lord Rama and the overall celebration of positivity, prosperity and togetherness. It's common to light at least a few diyas both inside and outside the home. Many people also decorate their entrances, windowsills, balconies and courtyards with rows of diyas to create a beautiful, illuminated atmosphere.
Diwali Lighting
Dahlia Glass Hanging Tealight Candle Holder Set of 3
Latika Small Antique Gold Tabletop Candle Lantern
Latika Antique Gold Tabletop Candle Lantern
Capiz 20 Petal Lotus Tealight Candle Holder
Capiz 20 Petal Lotus Tealight Candle Holder
Capiz 20 Petal Lotus Tealight Candle Holder
Capiz 20 Petal Lotus Tealight Candle Holder
Flameless LED Tealight Candles, 10-Pack
White Unscented Floating Candles 6 Pack
The Symbolism of Flowers
Both the lotus flower and marigolds hold cultural and spiritual significance during the Diwali festival. The lotus flower is deeply revered in Hinduism and symbolizes purity, enlightenment and spiritual growth. During the celebration, lotus flowers might be used as offerings in prayers and rituals. Their presence can invoke a sense of spiritual presence and purity.
Bright gold marigold flowers are considered sacred in Hinduism and signify devotion and a pure heart when offering prayers to deities. They're also believed to have protective qualities, blocking negativity and evil forces, which aligns with the festival's theme of dispelling darkness. Families decorate their homes with garlands and baskets of marigolds to bring luck and positive energy.
Diwali Food
Diwali is known for its delicious and diverse array of traditional foods and sweets, which can vary by region and personal preference. Savory dishes like kachori, deep-fried samosas, chaat and curries are served, along with sweet desserts like fudge-like barfi and gulab jamun.
World Market is proud to carry a variety of Indian food to make celebrating easy and delicious. Our selection includes sauces from small-batch brand Brooklyn Delhi, whose owner Chitra Agrawal's cookbook Vibrant India is a wonderful inspiration for Diwali (and everyday) cooking!
Indian Food Favorites
Brooklyn Delhi Cashew Butter Masala Indian Simmer Sauce
Brooklyn Delhi Golden Coconut Curry Indian Simmer Sauce
Brooklyn Delhi Tikka Masala Indian Simmer Sauce
Brooklyn Delhi Mango Chutney
Brooklyn Delhi Coconut Cashew Korma Indian Simmer Sauce
Mrs. H.S. Ball's Original Recipe Chutney
Patak's Tikka Masala Curry Simmer Sauce
Patak's Sweet Mango Chutney
World Market® Organic Turmeric
World Market® Cardamom Pods Spice Bag
World Market® Organic Ground Cumin
Tasty Bite Punjab Eggplant
Exchanging Gifts
Gifts of Money: It's customary for elders to give money to younger family members as a token of blessings and good wishes. This is often given in small envelopes or pouches. This practice is similar to the tradition of giving "lucky money" in many cultures during special occasions.
Charitable Giving: Diwali is also considered a time for giving to those in need. Some people choose to donate money to charities, orphanages, shelters, or community initiatives as part of their celebrations.
