It’s one of the tastiest and most luminous times of year again, where fireworks light up the autumn sky as the smell of spicy samosas and sweet gulab jamun float through the air, likely because they’re being delivered by you. So get ready to wind through colourful sarees dancing in the streets and squares as Hindus celebrate their biggest holiday season.

When is Diwali?
This year, Diwali begins on Sunday, November 12th, bringing much welcomed light to the quickly darkening days. The festivities last for five days, with each day embracing different rituals, foods and traditions. 

What is Diwali?
Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Lights. How Diwali is interpreted, or what exactly is being celebrated, differs amongst various Indian regions and cultures. But always, the theme is consistent: light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The strength and joy of spiritual light is celebrated by the lighting of candles, diyas (clay lamps), sparklers and fireworks both inside of the home and out, alongside dancing, singing, games and, of course…FOOD.

Don’t forget to wish your Indian restaurants and their customers a Happy Dawali. Here are some simple ways you can say it: 

“Shush Deepavali!” — meaning “Happy Diwali!”“Diwali ki light” — meaning “Diwali lights”, a nice way of saying happy Diwali