Cottage Flowers Arrangement

Alesha Thomson

can go to four to five days. At night we let off fireworks and watch firework displays set off by other families. Sometimes, these displays can turn into a bit of fun competition. My husband has spent Deepavali the same way as I did during his childhood and throughout his young adult life, but he starts his celebration at his grandmother’s place. All his relatives and cousins gather at his grandmother’s house to celebrate Deepavali. Times are changing, but what has certainly not changed is the essence of being together as a family and celebrating the festival that is close to our hearts. Since my husband and I got married we have made sure that we celebrate this day with our family or friends. Now being parents, we introduce and teach our daughters the rich cultural meaning behind Deepavali. My eldest daughter Delenaa is usually very excited and helsp decorate the house and make the Indian snacks. On Deepavali morning, Delenaa did look forward to the oil bath ritual since we explained the history behind it to them and dressed in our traditional costumes. There are many ways to celebrate this special day, but the most important part is spending time together with your loved ones and honoring the rich cultural meaning behind Deepavali. Of course, I am blessed to be celebrating Deepavali even with just my husband and kids but to do so with a larger family is something we look forward to, next year.

Photos; First from the left to right; home cooked Indian food, rangoli drawn at the front door, my daughter with the light up diyas at the front door, Indian snacks decorated with diyas. Indian snacks that I made, first from left; murruku, sweet chippis, onion chippis and ghee balls.