Deepavali

From fearing crackers to embracing diyas, expats in Chennai share interesting experiences of Deepavali and adapting to the festival of lights.

“I think that the uniqueness of the festival is getting together with families. We also have lots of celebrations during the year that are traditional and religious. Despite the differences, it takes only a sparkler, a diya or a ghee-soaked sweet to bring together different cultures and welcome once strangers into our city and culture. I also take charge of the Deepavali boxes of sweets (to send to people). Perhaps the aspect of Deepavali that resonates most with immigrants is that of community and family, this feeling of togetherness that transports some of them back home. Everything is almost similar, from shopping to families getting together, from cleaning and decorating the house to cooking and baking. “What I love about Deepavali is that people use a lot of diyas, they light up the darkness. I love the idea, at the core of the festival, of the ultimate victory of good over evil or light over darkness. “Deepavali is a great excuse for me to eat sweets and I love it. “I turned my chair to the window and enjoyed the fireworks for one night,” she says. So, I went with my driver and househelp and we got some, burst them and took a few photos. “I wanted to try and buy a cracker.