What is Diwali?
In short and what it means to me:
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs and some Buddhists[14] to mark different historical events, stories or myths but they all symbolise the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, hope over despair.[5][31][32]
The Yoga, Vedanta, and Samkhya schools of Hindu philosophy share the belief that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. The celebration of Diwali as the “victory of good over evil” refers to the light of higher knowledge dispelling all ignorance, the ignorance that masks one’s true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality. With this awakening comes compassion and the awareness of the oneness of all things, and knowledge overcomes ignorance. Diwali is the celebration of this inner light over spiritual darkness,[33][34] knowledge over ignorance, right over wrong, good over evil.[35][36]
If you want to know more :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali
My family celebrates with lighting a special candle (diya) after sundown and making an offering to Saraswati, the goddess of wealth and knowledge.
We then all dress up in our finest and enjoy a delicious vegetarian meal.
There might be pooris – fried bread with potatoes and chickpeas and other things like fritters.
Sweets are exchanged and people celebrate with fireworks.
Most households also buy things for the kitchen which inspires a flourishing family life and gold jewels for prosperity.
Whatever your beliefs, the idea of tradition, family, peace and good food should appeal to all.
Happy Diwali
Indian Culinary Center, NYC 