Diwali, The Festival of Lights, is less than one month away and we are super excited for this annual celebration and copious amounts of candles and fireworks!
One of the most significant festivals in Indian culture, Diwali, the festival of lights, sees millions attend firework displays, prayers and celebratory events across the world every autumn.
The festival is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains for a variety of reasons, although the main theme which runs throughout is the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
With this festival being one of the most celebrated festivals in the world, we have compiled a list of tips to help you prepare for Diwali, or if you just want to learn about the preparations Hindu and Sikh people will be making during the month of October.
1. Declutter your home
This is very important during the run up to Diwali, cleaning the house is a significant cleansing ritual and assists in getting rid of unnecessary elements that surround your living space.
2. Organise your decorations
A huge part of Diwali is the decoration. It is a time where everything colourful and bright will be on display. Take time to plan a colour scheme for your household and go shopping for items such as lights, bells, flower garlands and mirrors to hang on the interior and exterior of your house.
Decorating the entrance to the house is also seen as a way to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity.
3. Decide on your sweets
Food and sweet treats surround this festival so prepping in advance is vital! Families take pride in giving each other decorative boxes full of traditional sweets, so why not decide on the variations you will be making in advance so you can have them on hand before the festival starts.
A few traditional sweets that are enjoyed during Diwali are Gulab Jaman, Jalebi, Kheer and Ladoo, we’re already hungry thinking about them!
After all that prep, Diwali will be on the horizon. Your home will be clutter-free and beautifully decorated. You don’t need to break the bank to make your home welcoming during Diwali, just some thoughtful preparation and a dash of creativity is sufficient to have a great celebration.
4. Book your family meal out at Five Rivers A La Carte!
If you’d rather keep the apron off and the oven cool, why not treat your family to an evening of authentic cuisine at Five Rivers A La Carte? Enjoy the atmosphere of Diwali in an unrivalled environment. To book your reservation please call 01922 646 164 or email alacarte@thefiveriversgroup.co.uk.