by Shilpa Goel
Each autumn, as the days grow shorter, homes across India and in Indian communities around the world begin to glow with small lamps called diyas. The occasion is Diwali, or Deepavali, also known as the Festival of Lights. For many of us, it is one of the most cherished times of the year—a celebration of family, renewal, generosity, and the enduring hope that light will overcome darkness.
Diwali has many stories and meanings, reflecting India’s rich regional and religious traditions. One of the best-known tales is of Lord Rama, a Hindu deity, returning to Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshmana after 14 years of exile. The people welcomed them by lighting rows of lamps. Other traditions honor Goddess Lakshmi, associated with prosperity and well-being, or recall Lord Krishna’s victory over Narakasura. For Jains, Diwali also marks Lord Mahavira’s attainment of liberation. Across these observances runs a shared spirit of reflection, gratitude, and new beginnings.
Although customs vary across India, Diwali is often celebrated over five days. The first, Dhanteras, is associated with preparing the home and welcoming good fortune. The second, Chhoti Diwali or Naraka Chaturdashi, brings further preparations and celebrations. The third is the main night of Diwali, when families light diyas, offer prayers, exchange sweets, and gather for festive meals. The fourth may be observed as Govardhan Puja or Annakut, and in some communities marks the New Year. The fifth, Bhai Dooj, honors the affection and bond between siblings.
In our homes, the festival begins well before the lamps are lit. We clean and decorate, prepare traditional foods, wear festive clothes, visit friends and family, and create rangoli—colorful patterns near our doorways. Most importantly, we make time to be together. For those of us living far from India, these familiar traditions bring back memories of childhood, family, and home.
That sense of connection is what first inspired my friend, Sushila Singh, and me to organize Diwali get-togethers here in Carlisle. Over the years, we gathered with Carlisle friends and families, sometimes in private homes and sometimes in restaurant halls. We simply wanted to celebrate together, carry forward the traditions we had grown up with, and create new memories for our families in the town we now call home.
The idea for having a town-wide Diwali event grew from a conversation with Debbie Bentley, co-chair of the Carlisle Cultural Council, who encouraged me to apply for a grant to bring Diwali to the wider Carlisle community. Sushila and I loved the idea. Why not take a celebration that had brought our families together and open it to our neighbors?
For us, a town-wide Diwali celebration is about more than introducing a festival. It is an opportunity for cultural exchange, especially for Indian heritage children growing up here to share something meaningful from their heritage with their non-Indian friends. It is equally an opportunity for our neighbors to experience traditions they may have heard about but never participated in.
Sometimes understanding another culture begins with something as simple as sharing food, enjoying a performance, or having a conversation.
We are planning a gathering with games and activities for everyone, cultural performances, food available for purchase, and plenty of opportunities to mingle, ask questions, and enjoy one another’s company. No prior knowledge of Diwali is needed—only curiosity and a willingness to join in.
Our hope is that Carlisle residents of all ages and backgrounds will come, participate, and celebrate with us. What began as a small gathering among friends has now become an occasion for the whole town to share.
After all, the beauty of Diwali lies not only in the lamps we light in our own homes, but in the light we share with others. ∆
Join us Saturday, November 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Union Hall, First Religious Society, near the Town Center, Carlisle.
