People Reveal The Diwali Memories That Mean The Most To Them

"I still get very excited every year to get the aarti done and to do it as well!"

We recently asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us how their family makes Diwali special. Here are the heartwarming traditions and memories they shared:

A Diwali wedding

Jasmin S.

"Growing up in a Western household, I never really felt like my family and I were that religious, especially since we didn't observe many traditional Indian holidays. However, Diwali was and has always been the exception. It is a very significant holiday for us, and this past year's celebrations turned out to be even more special as we were actually able to celebrate it in India. It just so happened that we were attending a wedding there around the same time. It was one of the most magical experiences to be surrounded by so many family members and to celebrate a beautiful union and one of the most important and unique holidays our Indian culture has. The luxurious colors, mouthwatering food, and glistening fireworks were all out of this world. Everything was turned up a notch, and it was truly one to remember!"

—Jasmin S.

Traditions passed down through generations

"In my family, on the second day of Deepavali (Diwali), we have a small aarti ceremony that we have always done. This used to be my favorite part of the festival since I was a kid. So all the members of my family sit on a mat on the floor, heads covered, and one member, usually my grandmother, does an aarti. So she first dips a gold ring in some oil and rubs that to our hair and then applies a tilak on our forehead. Then she does an aarti for all of us, and we all have to bring out the big notes of cash and put it into the aarti plate. This ceremony meant getting cash when I was a small girl, and I still get very excited every year to get the aarti done and to do it as well!"

—ShivaniPatil

New family = new traditions

Samantha M.

"Five years ago, I married into an Indian family, and with it came a whole new culture of holidays and traditions. My husband is first-generation American, so he grew up celebrating Diwali with his family by lighting diyas and having lots of food and presents and tons of fireworks. With a family of our own now, we want to celebrate Indian and Hindu culture in the ways we are able.

"While we may not celebrate the same as they do in India, we still capture the spirit of Diwali. We read a book to our children about Diwali's meaning, draw rangoli outside using sidewalk chalk, and decorate by hanging lights and paper diyas. My in-laws provide us with yummy indian treats, and we get together to decorate sugar cookies shaped like diyas. The whole family will go to temple, eat a big feast, exchange gifts, and follow it all with sparklers outside! It is seriously fun and so amazing getting to pass on traditions and create new ones along the way."

—Samantha M.

Family, food, and fireworks

"My family decorated the house with 'diyas' or candles. My mom and aunts all make yummy Indian snacks to exchange; these are usually of the fried variety, and you can expect to gain a good 5–10 pounds before the season is over. And we’ll have a huge family potluck where we all wear our finest clothes and jewelry to celebrate the 'new year.' If we’re lucky, my uncle will provide the 'good' fireworks (by good, I mean illegal), and the kids will run around with sparklers to light the night."

—Reema D., Facebook

A beautiful time of year

Gaurav S.

"Diwali is my favorite time of year and the most beautiful time at my house. For the past 13 years, my family has been hosting a Diwali party at my house called the Nath Diwali Dhamaka. It started with 10 families gathering to recite the Ramayana to the kids and has now grown into over 100 people gathering at our house on Diwali. We have a Diwali pooja followed by a cultural dance performance where everyone from the kids to the adults perform. Afterward, it's a full-on celebration with dancing and lots of food. My family prepares a traditional South Indian dinner feast along with many sweet desserts. Diwali is the most amazing time at the Nath household."

—Gaurav N.

Sharing the love

"This is a massive function in our Indian calendar. We light candles in every room of the house to invite in the god of light, and we have a feast of lovely Indian food and delicacies both sweet and savory. We may give presents to family and friends, we dress to impress, and we celebrate further with fireworks. The whole experience of preparing for Diwali and getting ready for the day adds to the excitement and anticipation. Shopping for Diwali — from food, clothes, and presents — adds to the thrill. Inviting family and friends to help celebrate, being together to eat and drink, and letting off the fireworks all adds to the day. Diwali as a whole is just a special day for us. For me, what means the most is the thought of meeting up with family and friends that I have not seen for a while."

—Deepa S.

Images via Getty unless stated otherwise.

Stories have been lightly edited for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and clarity to comply with the BuzzFeed Style Guide.

Happy Diwali! Learn how to make this time of year more affordable with help from U.S. Bank.