What Diwali Means To Me

Preparing numerous dishes, hosting the best get-togethers, dressing up like royalty, and going all out with makeup — that’s how Diwali begins for me. Setting up the pooja space like it’s an SUPW project, turning home décor into my only mission, and treating weekdays as my ultimate cheat days — everything suddenly feels festive and full of purpose.

House cleaning reaches a level where we could easily feature in ads for cleaning brands. I add unique decorative pieces just to earn a few compliments and set up fairy lights until my home looks like a dreamland. Through it all, I ignore the aches and pains, calm the animals scared by crackers, and click a hundred pictures — only to keep a precious few.

But beyond the glitter and glow, Diwali to me is about the warmth that fills the home. It’s not the perfect décor or the prettiest outfit that makes Diwali special — it’s the simple, imperfect, love-filled chaos that makes it unforgettable.

And just like every year, I find myself writing yet another love letter to Diwali — because some traditions deserve to be continued.

PS: A little throwback to my “A Note to Diwali” post from 2022.