Today is the Hindu celebration Diwali (basically the equivalent of Christmas in India), popularly known as the “Festival of Lights”. Diwali is an official public holiday in India, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Fiji, and more. Celebrations include the decorating with lights, exchanging of sweets, fireworks and firecrackers, and yummy food.
Diwali marks the triumph of good over evil, when the Hindu Lord Rama returned to his kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. The event is actually celebrated for five continuous days, from October 21st-25th, with each day dedicated to a specific tradition, but the main celebration today, October 23rd.
In honor of the Festival of Lights, we’ve rounded up 5 fun ways that you can celebrate too (who doesn’t want a reason to celebrate?)!
(1) These delicious Indian sweets take only 15 minutes to make!
(image credit: Cooking and Me)
(2) Decorate your house with a rangoli, an Indian folk art in which patterns are created on the floor of livings rooms or courtyards using colored rice, sand, flour, flower petals, or salt!
(image credit: Nurture Store)
(3) Lay out candles and flowers
(image credit: Easy Day)
(4) Decorate some cupcakes with these henna inspired designs
(image credit: The Cupcake Blog)
(5) Decorate some mason jars with gold paint and place a candle inside
(image credit: Etsy)
