Electric Diya
Hindus all over the world will be celebrating Diwali including me.
Diwali is the Festival of Lights and celebrates Light over darkness. See the Wiki link for the more info. about Diwali.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali
I miss being able to be at home in Trinidad for Diwali. Back home I would celebrate by fasting, cleaning, doing a Lakshmi Puja (prayers). After the puja would come my favorite part, lighting diyas and fireworks.
A diya is a small oil filled clay pot that’s lit with a wick. It’s been 9 years since I’ve had a ‘proper’ Diwali back home.
Living in Iowa, there isn’t a temple or large Hindu community in my area for any big celebrations but I still celebrate Diwali in my own way.
I still fast (don’t eat meat) for Diwali, not because I’m a religious nut or anything but because it reminds me to be grateful for all the chicken and seafood I do eat the rest of the year. I try to escape work early that day and prepare veggie dishes for myself and JT. Including treats…see below for an easy Diwali sweet recipe.
We have a small puja, not with all the fancy traditions like in Trinidad, but still meaningful. Then we light my electric diyas. I light my electric diyas because I’m forbidden from lighting any open flames in my townhouse rental unit.
I don’t mind the electric diyas though, less mess and they get the job done for Light over darkness.
I also put up my Christmas lights for Diwali now. It’s extra lights and it’s usually not as cold as putting them up in December. My neighbors are probably confused as to why my place is all lit up but they are welcome to inquire.
It gets dark early now because of stupid Daylight Savings and Diwali is the also night of the new moon so it’s extra dark outside. I like my lights, even in the cold, dark Midwest, they brighten me up.
Diwali still remains one of my favorite holidays. Next year I plan to be in Trinidad to celebrate it fully.
- 1lb powdered full cream milk
- 1 cup double cream or evaporated milk
- 1 1/2 cups granulated cane sugar
- 3/4 cup of water
- Butter for greasing dish
- 2 pieces of ginger
- Sprinkles
- Mix powdered milk and cream on low setting till crumbly textured.
- Boil Sugar water and ginger for approx. 10 minutes then remove ginger.
- Continue boiling until sugar is able to spin a thread.
- Stir into milk and cream mixture and mix well until it is like cookie dough
- Press into greased dish and add sprinkles on top.
- Cut into small squares.
- Serve when cooled and firm.
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