By Maithilee Kajale
Diwali, the five-day Indian Festival of Lights, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
For me, it has never been about extravagance or spectacle. Diwali has always been about family, love, health and prosperity - a time to pause, reflect and cherish your loved ones.
The excitement begins long before the festival itself. Weeks ahead, we would deep clean the house and declutter every corner. My Dad and I would hang string lights and Akash Kandil - traditional Indian lanterns - while my Mum prepared Diwali delicacies.
Resisting the urge to sneak a taste before the festival was always a challenge. Mum and I would hand-paint clay lamps in bright colours throughout the month - the more lamps, the better.
One of my favourite memories is spending hours creating intricate rangoli (patterns made on the floor using colourful rice flour) with her. It was a slow, deliberate process that gave me a sense of pride, patience and connection to tradition and a moment to bond with my Mum in a way that felt almost sacred.
Growing up in a religious household, Diwali was steeped in tradition. The week began at the crack of dawn, waking to pray and give thanks for all we had.
On the evening of the main day, we would dress in our finest traditional Indian outfits. Diyas were lit in every corner and we gathered as a family to enjoy the delicacies we had been eagerly anticipating for weeks.
Later, we would run outside with my cousins to light fireworks, the night filled with laughter, playful competition and the joy of simply being together.
Diwali has always been about warmth, connection and family. Moving to Australia over three years ago, I knew I wanted to recreate that magic. I was fortunate to meet wonderful people who became my second family, embracing my culture and joining in the celebrations.
Today, I stay true to my roots - wearing traditional clothing, decorating with flowers and lighting string lights throughout the house.
Small candles now replace oil lamps and a peel-off rangoli sticker stands in for the hours once spent crafting patterns. I host friends for a traditional Indian dinner, we play card games, share stories and pray together to Goddess Lakshmi - the Goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity.
It has become a way to honour my heritage while sharing it with those around me, building new memories while keeping old ones alive.
The one thing I haven’t been able to recreate is my Mum’s sweets. Instead, I make simpler, equally nostalgic treats like Kaju Katli (cashew slice) and Khobra Vadi (coconut slice).
These flavours transport me back to my childhood, evoking memories of eagerly begging my Mum for them on any occasion. Preparing them here, oceans away, keeps me connected to a cherished part of my past.
Being thousands of miles from my family, I am deeply grateful for my friends here in Australia who have become my second family. Diwali, as an adult, has come to mean so much more: celebrating love, life and belonging.
While I miss my family back home more each year, I feel incredibly lucky to share the warmth, light and joy of the Festival of Lights with those around me.
