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 Deepavali in New Jersey
 The festival of lights has arrived, in colourful splendour, dazzling rainbows, and, of course, spectacular fireworks that we enjoy with our family and friends, especially in India. Deepavali, the biggest Indian celebration, is not restricted to the Indian subcontinent. Indians all over the world are finding their own ways to celebrate this grand holiday, which was on Saturday, October 21, 2006.
Babu Narayanan said, “Deepavali, and the lighting of the lamps for me brings back memories of all the rituals and celebrations I took part in with my family, in my childhood.”
 The word Diwali, as it has now come to be commonly used, is a mistranslation or modification of the original Sanskrit word - Deepavali. Deepavali is divided as “deepa,” which means lights, and “avali” which means row. The word Deepavali symbolises the tradition or custom of placing light or small lamps (diyas) in a row. These diyas are placed on windows, doorways, rooftops, terraces and gardens in people’s homes. These earthen lamps are lit to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, and to invite her to bless the family. Deepavali lamps signify the desire to vanquish ignorance, to drive away darkness and to bring light into everyone’s life, regardless of whether they are rich or poor. Kolams and rangoli designs accompany the diyas and lamps that are lit near the doorways.
Mythili Narayanan said, “No matter where you live, you should not forget your culture and roots. You should celebrate the festival of lights with joy and enthusiasm, and teach that lesson of heritage and culture to your children and grandchildren.”
 Mythili, who has been living in New Jersey, USA, for the past 14 years, prepared sweets and snacks, at home for her family. She also purchased new clothes and dresses for everybody. Mythili and her family even decided to bring Deepavali to her daughter Akarsha, who lives in Texas, by mailing her a package of Deepavali clothes and snacks to enjoy. Added Mythili, “Distance should not limit your celebrations of this festival.”
The Deepavali celebration is not only limited to New Jersey. An Indian couple in Boston is celebrating their first Deepavali together. Pavitra and Nikhilesh Ramani, who were married last November, commented that, for them “Deepavali is one of the important Hindu festivals. We will be going to temple and visiting friends and relatives, exchanging sweets and gifts.”
 The Deepavali day begins with certain traditions. The first is that all members of the family take a shower and dress up in new clothes. Once dressed in the new fashions, they either visit the shrine in their home, and then they visit a nearby temple, and pray to God for health, wealth, success and prosperity.
Joining family and friends, Indians immerse themselves in a more fun tradition -sharing and eating the delicious snacks and savouries, they either bought or prepared. While eating mysorepak, and badushah, and munching on ribbon padora, family and friends exchange gifts, stories and most importantly, laughter, warmth, friendship and love.
 Raji Nagarajan said, “I really miss India particularly at Deepavali time.” Raji, who resides in Caldwell, New Jersey, added, “I celebrate Deepavali every year, so my two sons learn to value our religious traditions.”
The culmination of the Deepavali celebrations is loud, colourful, exciting, and extravagant. Fireworks are the noise of choice, and colourful dragons, stars, sparklers burst forth from every terrace, rooftop and every public ground allover India. In the US, the use of fireworks is more controlled, and thus is only used in licensed Diwali melas, or Diwali fairs held around the area.
The day after Deepavali, is the day that several Indians celebrate or start the custom of Kubera Lakshmi Pooja. Kubera Lakshmi Pooja is done to invoke the blessings of the Goddess to acquire more wealth. Merchants and businessmen do this Lakshmi Pooja so that they become rich and prosperous that year.
 The nearby temple, in Parsippany, New Jersey, ‘Shree Sanatan Mandir’, celebrates Deepavali every year by following a tradition called ‘Anakut’. In Anakut, all devotees are requested to bring a dish of sweet or salt item, prepared at home. This food is then collected, and offered to God, and then at the end of the pooja distributed to all the devotees.
This is how Deepavali, the festival of lights, is celebrated in New Jersey. Deepavali, is a centuries-old celebration, that is still thriving in the modern culture and world of technology. And that is something we are all thankful for.
Priyanka Narayanan
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