Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a major celebration for millions of Hindus, and is also meaningfully observed by Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists. Over five days, families light small clay lamps and candles, put up traditional decorations, share sweets and come together to pray. Beneath the sparkle, Diwali carries something quieter: a reminder that even in uncertain times, light endures.
This autumn, as I watch my toddler running through the halls of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Brunswick (a Hindu house of worship), I see Diwali through freshly transformed eyes.
Although born here in Cleveland, my daughter may not yet grasp the deeper stories behind the Festival of Lights—but she already embodies its warmth. She watches us light the clay lamps — diyas. They glow with meaning: the triumph of light over darkness, of knowledge over ignorance. She reaches toward the colorful rangoli in progress — beautiful patterns made with colored powder or rice. Her giggles echo through the mandir as she twirls in her bright, traditional dress, surrounded by friends.
Diwali, for me, has shifted. It is no longer just a season of memory — it’s a living tradition I now pass on. It means teaching my daughter that Chopda Pujan, the blessing of books and ledgers, is more than a ritual. It’s a reminder to begin the new year with gratitude and responsibility. It means telling her the story of the Annakut, the joyous “mountain of food” offered before sacred images of God. Letting her taste sweets that carry not just flavor, but heritage — a bite of the past, and a promise for the future.
At the BAPS mandir, children’s Diwali programs teach and reinforce values like compassion, honesty, gratitude, unity and humility. These lessons aren’t relics of an old world — they’re just as essential in today’s Cleveland as they were in India generations ago.
In a diverse and growing city like ours, Diwali also offers a bridge — an invitation for families like mine to celebrate culture while connecting with others. It’s a chance to honor heritage while embracing community.
That, to me, is the true light of the season.
This Diwali, may all of us — wherever we come from — light a lamp for the values that bring us together. A light of joy, love, kindness, and harmony.
Keep our local journalism accessible to all
Reader support is crucial as we continue to shed light on underreported neighborhoods in Cleveland. Will you become a monthly member to help us continue to produce news by, for, and with the community?
P.S. Did you like this story? Take our reader survey!
