Think of this cleaning as a way to purify your environment and make way for the fresh, positive energy of Diwali and the new year.
For example, you could buy a few new shirts or pants, a nice set of plates or utensils, or some jewelry.
Rangoli is a traditional work of art and decoration done in sand or rice, often depicting beautiful, symmetrical flowers like lotuses and daisies. Rangoli designs are typically placed just inside the entryway of your home, but feel free to set them up elsewhere, too. You can also paint or draw your rangoli designs on paper or wood, or even buy them pre-made.
Diyas and candles are often placed on the floor, but you may choose to place them up higher if you have pets or small children. Diwali is the Festival of Lights, so feel free to place candles and diyas in other places around your home as well! You can buy diyas online and even decorate them with recycled materials.
You can hang plain white lights or go with colorful strings.
You can make dahi ke kebabs by mixing together plain yogurt, chopped coriander, chopped green chilis, chopped onions, chickpea flour, and cumin seeds, then chilling them for an hour. Shape the mixture into flat circles and fry them in oil or butter until they’re brown on both sides. For yogurt dip, you’ll combine a shredded, salted cucumber with whole milk yogurt, red onion, lime juice, and several spices.
To make your masala, you’ll cook your main ingredient (either meal or vegetables) in a deep skillet with milk and spices like curry, coriander, and cumin.
Cook pre-soaked garbanzo beans in a pressure cooker with 3 black tea bags until they’re cooked through, then drain the water. Using a wok over medium heat, dry roast whole spices like black cumin, carrom seeds, and dry pomegranate until they’re browned, then grind them. Saute garlic ginger paste in the wok for a minute, then add green chilis, green cardamom, pepper, and a bay leaf. Add powdered spices like cumin, coriander powder, and dry mango powder and saute for 2 minutes. Finally, pour in the cooked beans and cook, covered, for 5-7 minutes. Add water and cook until its absorbed, 4-5 minutes, then serve!
Saute red chillies, ginger, garlic paste, and whole spices like bay leaves, cinnamon, and cloves for 1-2 minutes in oil or butter. Add cashew nuts, poppy seeds, and onions and saute until the onions are translucent. Add tomatoes and stir, then cover the pan and let it cook until the tomatoes start to break down. Set the mixture aside to cool. Then, remove as many whole spices as you can and use an immersion blender to blend it until it’s a smooth paste. In the same pan, add butter, curry paste, garam masala powder, chili powder, turmeric, ketchup, salt, and water. Bring it to a boil, then lower it to a simmer for 30 minutes. Cut the paneer into bite-sized pieces and stir it into the mix.
You can try your own hand at making these dishes, or cater from a local Indian restaurant.
On the third day, many families also gather together for Lakshmi puja, a prayer to the goddess Lakshmi as well as Ganesh, the god of wisdom, and Kuber, the lord of wealth. [12] X Research source If you’re away for Diwali, text your family and friends to wish them a good celebration and tell them how much you love them!
Setting off private fireworks and firecrackers is illegal in most regions. [13] X Research source
If you can, visit your siblings in-person or give them a call to check in and show your love for each other.
The U. S. , Canada, the U. K. , and Australia all have large Diwali celebrations.
