South Asian Pleasant Grove High School families come together every year to celebrate the vibrant and diverse cultural traditions of Diwali through a range of engaging activities and festivities. 

Diwali is also known as Candle Day in India. It is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs. Diwali symbolizes the day of light, and it  helps bring people together to celebrate the victory of the light over darkness.

In Sikhism, Diwali celebrates the release from imprisonment of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, along with other Hindu kings. A guru is a god or a religious teacher. 

PGHS students celebrated the most recent Diwali by painting dias (candles) and creating artwork with powdered color. 

Some students dressed up for the event, said Jaskirn Kaur. She said she did so because it helps others learn more about her culture.

Asked why she celebrates Diwali, Kaur said, “I really like Diwali because it’s a time for me and my family to come together and celebrate our ancestry and have a good time. Me and my family usually light candles … make a lot of sweets and light some fireworks.”

Kaur said she believes it is important to recognize these traditions so future generations know about them, and that it is important to go to the past to move the culture forward.

Ayush Raina, a junior at PGHS, said Diwali is like a repeat of New Year’s Eve celebrations on Dec. 31.

“In our culture,” Raina said, “the way we celebrate, it is like a second new year”. 

For Raina, too, the celebration at home involves lighting.

“We usually put lights around the house,” he said. “We paint dias (small mud-made candles).” 

In addition to the decor, Raina said, “for food we have sweets like jalebi and gulab jamun, (and) we typically eat dinner together and light fireworks.”

It’s all about family, Raina said.

“Through Diwali,” he said, “we are able to connect with our family members and relatives to celebrate happiness.” 

Krithi Gondvarthi, a junior, voiced similar sentiments

“My family likes to do fireworks, light up candles and appreciate the day,” Gondvarthi said. “I think it is a great holiday to celebrate with your friends and family away from stress and have a good time.” 

Editor’s note: SacSchoolBeat.com writer Parneet Kaur and Jaskirn Kaur are not related.