Some of you might not know this, but there actually are holidays that other cultures celebrate. In the Hindu culture, Diwali is one of mine. Diwali takes place from the end of October to the start of November. The celebration lasts five days. Diwali is even marked in our WHS planners!

Basically, Diwali is the festival of lights. We put candles outside when it gets dark to bring the good in over the evil. The house is supposed to be very clean during the holiday. On Friday, the 1st of November, it was “Gods Day” and no meat could be eaten that day and we had to keep the house the cleanest on this day. Dinner was traditional Indian food. Friday was the third day of the holiday. In addition, we also washed money (coins) in water from the Ganga River and we also had to do some prayers to bring in good wishes for a good financial future for my entire family. Lakshmi is the Goddess we pray to because she is the goddess of wealth. On the last day, which this year was Tuesday the 5th of November, the “Bhai Ne Deech Ke,” the sisters invite their brothers over for prayers, a blessing, and we tie a bracelet onto their wrist with a sweet offering. If you don’t have brothers, like me, you call your cousins who are like brothers to you in the Hindu culture.

The other days aren’t really considered big days because we usually will just light the candles at night time just like every other day. Diwali is actually the mark of the new year in my culture. In India, we celebrate Diwali with so many fireworks because it is legal. Also on the outside of our house in the driveway we draw pictures with a substance that has the feel of flour.

When I went to India back in 7th grade, I got to experience all of this and it was one of my most invigorating life experiences. Seeing all these people in one neighborhood come together on one holiday and celebrate the same way was so moving to see. On the day of Diwali there is a party that doesn’t really symbolize the festival. It is just most of the Indian community getting together and having a good time. The women and girls wear traditional sarees. The men just wear suits. The day of Diwali was Sunday the 4th of November.

Having a different traditions and being different from the rest of the school is something special. The entire school is basically the same, and in my life I get to get the best of both worlds of experiencing the American life in school and coming home to a new light of being Hindu.