Pennsylvania is home to around 4 million people of Indian descent, including around 100,000 in the Philadelphia region. On October 21, Senate Bill 402 was passed, recognizing Diwali as a state holiday.
Diwali is one of India’s most celebrated holidays, celebrating the victory of good over evil. Depending on which region you originate from in India, there are many religious stories about this time of year. Many immigrant families carry and practice these traditions in the US. Diwali will be celebrated on October 31 this year.
Sophomore Lavanya Dixit celebrates Diwali by exchanging gifts, performing dances and songs with friends, and eating good food.
“We light these lamps called diyas, and they put one in each room of the house, and it’s just like symbolically, like spending like good around our house,” Dixit said.
This year presents a unique challenge for students as Diwali falls on Halloween. While some might consider this a difficult choice, students like Dixit are clear about their priorities.
“I’m going to be staying home, definitely for Halloween, because Diwali is a really meaningful thing to me,” Dixit said.
Sophomore Arav Rajesh also celebrates Diwali, but in a slightly different way because his family originates from South India.
“There are different prayers that relate to probably originating in Southern India than there are in Northern India,” Rajesh said.
He also explained how you are not supposed to see the moon during Diwali, and the fireworks and lit diyas (candles) represent it.
Diwali, despite now being recognized as a state holiday, does not require schools to close, so balancing celebrations and school can be challenging.
“It’s honestly, especially with this time of year, something I’m doing out of school. [It’s] another thing I have to balance along with sports and academics,” Dixit said.
Rajesh is also cutting his Halloween “celebration” to come home early and light fireworks for Diwali. Fireworks are a huge part of Diwali, especially in India, and many families in the US also celebrate using fireworks.
Sophomore Rheya Singh also celebrates using fireworks, and she dresses up in traditional clothing.
“For girls, we wear either Saris, which you wear with a blouse,” Singh said.
Rajesh also explains that boys usually wear a Kurta, another traditional piece of clothing (a long shirt).
“It’s a lot of fun to be able to celebrate your culture and your festival with other people,” Dixit said.
