Celebrating Diwali with your Child

Holidays are a time for celebration, togetherness and acknowledging the values you may hold in your life. At Valley Children’s, we recognize the importance holidays hold within communities and invite you to celebrate them with us through our Celebrating Together blog series. This series highlights holidays throughout the year and displays the history and numerous ways you could celebrate them with your own community. In this installment of our Celebrating Together series, we would like to invite you to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights.

What is Diwali?

"Diwali is a time when we celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, and it's a reminder that goodness and peace will always prevail. In my family, Diwali allows us to pause, reflect and reset our lives, which signals the beginning of a new year" – Enjuli Chhaniara, PGY2.

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the Hindu “Festival of Lights”. Variations of this holiday are celebrated in Jainism and Sikhism as well. The heart of the festival lies in lighting oil lamps, or “diyas”, to illuminate homes and streets. Families also engage in thorough cleaning of their homes, creating a sense of renewal by removing negativity and welcoming positivity. Colorful rangoli patterns, created from colored powders, rice, or flower petals, adorn doorsteps, and homes sparkle with intricate decorations to welcome good blessings. Diwali is a time when families, bound by the ties of love and shared traditions, come together to create lasting memories and reaffirm their connections. It's a reminder that amidst the hustle and bustle of life, the moments spent with family are the ones that truly illuminate our hearts and minds.

"Diwali is a time filled with happy memories - one where my family laughs and eats great food together." –Madhuri Kasa, PGY2.

How to Celebrate Diwali with your Family

• Create salt dough diyas

• Check out a book about Diwali at your local library

• Learn about Diwali with Blippi!

• Decorate your home with lights 

• Make festive Diwali treats

For more information on how to celebrate Diwali, visit one of the resources below. 

https://www.parents.com/how-i-celebrate-diwali-with-my-family-6752954

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/pages/article/diwali

https://parents.highlights.com/how-do-you-celebrate-diwali