A Diwali to remember: celebrating the Festival of Lights in my own unique way

Diwali has always been one of those festivals that fills the air with an indescribable energy. You can feel it in the crisp autumn breeze, smell it in the fresh sweets being prepared, and see it in the flickering light of diyas (oil lamps lit during the festival of Diwali) glowing in every corner of the city. This time of year brings back so many memories for me—each Diwali celebration with its own flavour, yet carrying the same message: the victory of light over darkness, hope over despair, and good over evil.

Diwali traces its origins to the ancient Hindu epic, the Ramayana, which tells us the story of Lord Rama's victorious return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. The people of Ayodhya lit thousands of diyas to celebrate his return; a tradition that continues to stay as a symbol of the victory of good over evil.

Growing up, Diwali was an event I looked forward to all year long. It was more than just a holiday; it was a feeling. And let me tell you, as someone who loves everything about this festival, I’ve developed my own little traditions over the years, some new, some borrowed from my family, but each one special in its own way.

The pre-Diwali buzz 

The excitement always starts a few weeks before the actual day. In our house, this means an all-hands-on-deck cleaning spree. Now, I won’t lie, cleaning isn’t exactly my favourite activity, but there’s something about preparing the house for Diwali that makes it feel less like a chore and more like a ritual. We dust, sweep and scrub until everything sparkles. And the best part? Setting up the diyas and an unspoken fun competition between neighbours for the best rangoli designs (traditional art created using sand, marble dust and other brightly coloured materials).

I remember being a kid and watching my mum pull out the small clay diyas from a box that only made an appearance once a year. She would hand me a brush and together we’d paint them in bright colours—reds, yellows and greens. It felt like we were painting our very own little pieces of happiness. Now, years later, I still make time to sit down and paint those diyas. It’s a small tradition, but it brings me closer to home. 

The eco-friendly Diwali movement 

As Diwali has spread across the world, with cities like London, New York, and Sydney lighting up in celebration, there’s been a growing awareness of how we can make the festival more sustainable. In my own family, we’ve embraced an eco-friendly approach to Diwali in recent years. We’ve switched from electric lights to traditional clay diyas, which not only conserve energy but also add a warm, authentic glow to the celebrations. Instead of using synthetic colours for rangoli, we now use flower petals, which are biodegradable and add a beautiful, natural touch.

This movement towards a more sustainable Diwali is something I’m passionate about, and it’s heartwarming to see it gaining traction globally. After all, Diwali is about spreading light, not just in our homes but in the world around us. Making small, eco-friendly changes allows us to celebrate with joy while also being mindful of our environment.

The sweet smell of festivities 

Diwali is a sensory overload in the best possible way. The food, the decorations, the lights—it all comes together to create an atmosphere that’s hard to match. If you’ve ever been part of a Diwali celebration, you know that food plays a huge role. For as long as I can remember, the kitchen would turn into a magical space in the days leading up to Diwali. My mum and dad would whip up everything from gulab jamuns (one of India's most cherished festival desserts) to laddoos (a spherical sweet), each dish filling the house with a sweet, mouth-watering aroma. 

The rituals that ground us 

For me, the highlight of Diwali has always been the Lakshmi & Ganesh Puja. As we gather around the altar, lighting diyas and offering sweets to the goddess Lakshmi, there’s a sense of peace that washes over me. It’s a moment to pause, to reflect on the year that’s passed, and to be grateful for all the good things in life.

But it’s also about more than that. The lighting of the diyas isn’t just symbolic of driving away physical darkness; it’s about removing the negativity, doubts, and fears we carry inside us. Every time I light a diya, I’m reminded of the resilience we all have within us, even when the going gets tough.

Celebrating Diwali, my way 

What I’ve come to realise over the years is that Diwali isn’t just about following traditions—it’s about making them your own. While I cherish the customs I’ve grown up with, I also love the way I’ve started to personalise the festival to fit my life today. From painting diyas to attempting (and sometimes failing) at making sweets, to lighting candles on my apartment balcony because fireworks aren’t my thing, Diwali has evolved for me. 

A festival for everyone: the glow that lasts beyond Diwali 

As I reflect on another Diwali, I’m reminded that this festival is more than just lights, sweets and celebrations. Diwali is about carrying that sense of warmth, light and hope within us throughout the year. In a world that often feels heavy, it’s a reminder to spread light, not just in our homes but in our hearts and the lives of those around us.

Though deeply rooted in Indian tradition, Diwali’s message resonates with everyone. Like lighting diyas, stringing up Christmas lights, or kindling a menorah, these symbols remind us that we all share a common desire for hope, resilience and unity. For the University of London’s global community, Diwali is a chance to celebrate the values that unite us.

So, whether you’re celebrating Diwali for the first time or it’s a long-standing tradition, remember to hold onto that glow long after the diyas have burnt out. Let’s continue to spread that light across our global community, celebrating in our own unique ways. Happy Diwali, everyone!

Aayushmaan studies BSc Finance (EMFSS) in India.