Diwali celebration

Diwali is called the “Festival of Lights” because it is, literally, a celebration of light and illumination. While Diwali is a Hindi word, it comes from the Sanskrit Deepavali, which means “a row of lights.” The holiday symbolizes the vanquishing of ignorance that overwhelms human life and spirit, and the driving away of darkness with the light of knowledge and hope. We celebrate Diwali in order to embrace hope and the positive values of this life, and to leave behind those thoughts and memories that cloud us in darkness. It’s celebrated with great pageantry across India and is a festival that always leaves me deep in thought. It is also a holiday celebrated with an abundance of delicious food and endless snacks and sweets, which can leave one with several extra pounds of weight due to joyful overindulgence with friends and family!