Diwali
Diwali Shubhkamnaye
Happy Diwali from our families to yours
Diwali or Deepavali is a celebration of the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and renewal of life. It is a time for friends and families to gather, share food and look forward to the year ahead.
Diwali events at libraries
Diwali and Indian resources in our collection
Indian Authors
Indian Recipes to Share
About Diwali
Originally a Hindu festival from India, Diwali is now celebrated by communities around the world by the symbolic lighting of lamps or diya and fireworks as a symbol of bringing positivity and light into our homes and communities.
The festival falls in either October of November each year, depending on the cycle of the moon, and coincides with the Hindu New Year.
How to celebrate Diwali in your home and community
Diwali is about enjoying great food and sweets with family, friends and neighbours. Often people will invite friends to their home to share in celebrations or take a plate of sweets to their neighbours.
Light candles and lamps throughout your home to fill it with positive energy and the Diwali festive feeling. As a family or household this invites positive energy and hopes for the coming year into our home.
Get dressed up and dance. Hindu families will often wear their newest and best clothes on Diwali to celebrate the New Year. Diwali is like Christmas and New Year wrapped into one. Celebrate with your friends and family and come together to share your hopes and dreams for the coming year ahead.
Language resources
Mango Languages can help you learn a range of Indian languages including Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.
Diwali Performances
Perfomer: Pranavi Peddisetti; Song: Shiva Tandava Stotram performed by Shankar Mahadevan
Shiva Tandava Stotram is a hymn (stotra) in Sanskrit that describes Lord Shiva's power and beauty. It is believed that Ravana, the king of island Lanka, composed the hymn in praise for Lord Shiva, and pleading for moksha. The Stotram has a rhythmic flow, and merely listening to it can transport one to a transcendental space. Pranavi's dynamic Bharatanatyam moves exhilarate the purpose of the stotram.
Performer: Uma Varma - Revathi Performing Arts; Song: Keerthanam, a composition of Dr K J Yesudas
Song: Keerthanam set to Raagam Chakravaagam and Aadi thaalam, a composition of Dr K J Yesudas. “Samgeetham” music is a combination of “Naadam”, “Shruthi”, “Swaras” and “Raagas” and “Layam”.
Anuradha Amabalavanar, Thanoshika Koneswaran, Ragvi Meiyalaghan and Nethira Ravishanker
The dance is originally choreographed by Smt.Rukmini Devi (Kalakshetra). Music is rendered by Anuradha’s guru Vivek Kinra.
Share your Diwali images
Want to share your own images of celebrating Diwali today and in the past? Share them in our Photo Hunt and they'll be added to the Discovery Wall.
