Diwali 2023: Discover the Festival of Lights with Thirdera

Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most anticipated and biggest of all festivals in India. It celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The name comes from Sanskrit ‘Dipavali’, meaning “row of lights”.

Bringing light and color into your home 

Diwali is celebrated by lighting dozens of diyas (lamps) or candles at home and in the streets, making rangolis (intricate designs on the floor) to welcome the goddess, distributing sweets and gifts, and setting off firecrackers. Every house is filled with light that takes over the darkness around and fills everyone’s heart with an aura of purity and a happy, compassionate mood. Diwali is also a time to reflect on one’s life, a time to destroy the dark thoughts inside us and give us the strength and zeal to carry on with goodwill for the upcoming year.  

Because Diwali is celebrated by so many people worldwide, traditions are diverse, though the common theme includes lighting diyas and gathering families. Like many Hindu festivals, there isn’t just one single reason to celebrate the festival.   
  

Regional Variations and Unique Celebrations  

In North India, a common tale from the Hindu epic Ramayana celebrates the return of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman to rule Ayodhya. In South India, it marks the victory of the god Krishna over the demon Narakasura. In Jainism, it is the day Mahavira attained Nirvana.  

Diwali is always a joy for me as I look forward to wearing new clothes and enjoying Diwali special foods like Kajjaya, Neerotti, and Vada that my mother prepares, which are famous in South India. Our home looks festive with mango leaf garland on every door in the house, and my sisters and I absolutely enjoy helping my dad put these up on Diwali day. A special ritual we perform here is Nomu Pooja, devoted to the Goddess Gowri. We wear the auspicious Nomu thread, which makes the festival feel incomplete without it. The evening is bright as we light diyas at home and fireworks fill the sky.   
  
Here are a few South Indian recipes to try. All are my favorites:  

• Kajjaya, with rice flour and jaggery  
• Gulab Jamun  
• Holige (Obbottu)  
• Chakli  
• Aloo Bonda (potato bonda)  
      

#DiwaliGlow: Bringing joy and hope to those in need

 There's an unparalleled sense of joy that comes from spreading happiness, especially when reaching out to those who need society's help to uplift their lives. This Diwali, Thirdera extended a helping hand to children suffering from cancer and visually impaired students, aiming to light up their lives with joyful moments and to let them know that they are not alone.   

We provided our support to two charitable organizations: Access Life Assistance Foundation and Snehadeep Trust  

Access Life Assistance Foundation

Thirdera adopted two families with children battling cancer, offering them a lifeline of support for the next three months. This support included provisions for food, transportation, and hygiene, ensuring that these families could focus on what truly matters. In a heartwarming gesture, we also provided dinner for all the children and their families at the organization for a few days.  
 

Snehadeep Trust 

In another inspiring initiative, we turned our attention to Bangalore, where we provided Braille sheets for 28 visually impaired students and blankets to shield them from the winter chill. These seemingly small acts of kindness can make a world of difference in their lives.   
In addition to providing essential support, our team actively connected with them to brighten their moments and create a sense of belonging.  

We were thrilled to discover their remarkable talents from dancing and singing to playing games. The resilience displayed by these young souls in the face of life's most challenging situations left a profound impact on all of us.  Despite their trials, they exuded hope, joy, and a readiness to embrace the world with the same enthusiasm as anyone else. Their acceptance and gratitude reminded us of the power of human connection and the warmth of giving.  
 

We encourage everyone to join us in making a positive impact, not only during festivals but throughout the year. Together, we can make the world a brighter and more compassionate place. 

Happy Diwali to all!