Diwali
When is Diwali?
The date varies, but Diwali in 2007 will fall on 9th November.
What Diwali celebrates
Diwali is also known as the Festival of Light and has similar significance to Hindus and Sikhs as Christmas has to us in the West. The theme of the festival is the banishment of darkness which engulfs the light of knowledge. The event marks the first day of a five-day religious festival.
As with so many Asian festivals, there's a legend behind Diwali:
A long time ago, Lord Rama returned to his kingdom having killed the demon Ravana who had captured Rama's wife Sita. There was great celebration, using bright lights to signify the triumph of good over evil.
Here are a few fun ideas to celebrate
- The word Diwali means row of lights. Your home should be filled with light to overcome the darkness outside. Lots of candles on the table and around the room will create a perfect atmosphere.
- Give all your guests a gift. Sweet delicacies are a big feature of Diwali so small gifts of Indian sweets (if available) or small Western cakes would be ideal.
- According to tradition, everyone present should be wearing their best clothes, or new ones (a great excuse for some retail therapy!).
- Burning incense will help to create a wonderfully relaxed mood.
How to create a Diwali meal
The idea is for everyone to take their time and try a little of all those big, restaurant-style Indian taste sensations. Here's how to do it:
- Asian-style food warmers are widely available. These are a great investment for keeping any kind of Asian-style food warm at the table. Place these in the centre of the table.
- Indian-style stainless steel serving dishes and other items are are a great way to achieve the true restaurant experience.
- Bring each dish from the kitchen in a serving dish and place it on a warmer.
- For a traditional feel, each person places some rice on their plate and then a few spoonfuls of each of the dishes you present.
- A knife and fork are fine for a restaurant-style presentation. Your guests may also like to try the Indian way of scooping up those tantalising sauces with small pieces of Naan bread. Don’t forget the puppadoms, chutneys & pickle to make it a real feast!
Happy Diwali!
Recipes from India