Hetal Patel is a Senior HR Business Partner on our Talent Team. In honor of Diwali, she’s sharing a bit of Diwali’s history and what the holiday means to her and her family.

About Diwali

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the festival of lights. It signifies the victory of good over evil and the eradication of dark shadows, negativity, and doubts from our lives.

This day is a celebration of prosperity in which people give wishes and gifts to their loved ones. The festival also sends the message of illuminating our inner selves with clarity and positivity.

Diwali is one of the largest and most auspicious festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs all around the world. It’s also one of the most symbolic Hindu festivals, and people celebrate it with much joy and pride.

During Diwali, people clean their homes, decorate every corner with lights, diyas (lamps), flowers, and rangoli (colored powder art). Families also perform a Lakshmi Puja and pray to the goddess of wealth to bless them with health, wealth, and prosperity.

The days of Diwali

The dates of this festival are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, which marks each month by the time it takes the moon to orbit Earth.

Diwali begins just before the arrival of a new moon between the Hindu months of Asvina and Kartika. It typically falls in October or November of the Gregorian calendar (the accepted international calendar).

Diwali celebrations span more than five days, and each of which has its own significance. On the first day of Diwali, people pray to the goddess Lakshmi, bake sweets, and clean their homes. On the second day, they decorate with lamps and rangolis.

Diwali’s third day is its most important. People typically go to temples to honor their respective deities and gather with friends and family for celebration. Devotees also set ablaze the lamps they had displayed the day before.

The fourth day of Diwali marks the new year and a time to exchange gifts and well wishes. Finally, the fifth day is typically a day to honor one’s siblings.

My favorite memories of Diwali

Growing up as first generation in a very tight-knit Hindu Indian family, Diwali has been an important time of year since I was little. It’s always been a time to unplug and remember my roots. My family would gather at either my house or a relative’s, which would be vibrantly decorated, and we’d have a grand feast lined up. 

Aside from food, it is such an enjoyable time filled with hugs (pre-COVID-19), laughs, and well wishes.  It was always a time where I felt, and wanted to express, gratitude for all the people close to my life.  I’ve been very lucky to have traditions passed down from generations to continue to celebrate and learn about this auspicious holiday.

One of my absolute favorite Diwali memories and traditions growing up has been doing rangoli at home with my mom. We make colorful art using powder, colored rice, and fresh flowers. Often it takes hours to complete, but the time we get to spend together is worth it!