Dive into the light and joy of Diwali
Three members of UBC’s South Asian community share what lights them up about Diwali and their favourite ways to celebrate this special holiday.
Celebrated by more than a billion people worldwide, Diwali is India’s biggest and most important holiday.
If you’ve participated in or seen photos of Diwali celebrations, you’ll know that light — whether in the form of diyas (oil lamps), candles, lanterns, or fireworks — features prominently in the festivities. Diwali is actually known as the “festival of lights” and carries with it a message of hope and optimism, as the holiday commonly symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. For some, it also ushers in a new year.
While Diwali is a key religious festival for Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains, it is also observed by many outside these faith traditions — both in India and abroad. We asked three members of UBC’s South Asian community what Diwali means to them and about their favourite ways to celebrate this five-day holiday, which kicks off on October 29 this year.
Jaiya Varshney, BCom’23
Impact investor and start-up co-founder
What does Diwali mean to you?
Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It’s a time of new beginnings, family unity, and reflection, celebrated with warmth and love.
What’s a special childhood memory you have of Diwali?
One of my fondest memories is when my mother and a friend’s mother gave a presentation on Diwali at my elementary school. I wore a lehenga — which consists of a long, embellished skirt (lehenga), a fitted blouse (choli), and a draped scarf (dupatta), commonly worn at weddings and festive occasions — and handed out traditional sweets, and I think I even danced. My friends thought it was the coolest thing.
The event sparked a series of lehenga dress-up playdates with my friends. Being one of the few Indian kids in my grade, this experience deepened my connection to and appreciation for my culture.
What’s your favourite way to celebrate Diwali today?
I love art, so decorating the house with lights as well as with rangoli — which are colourful patterns created on the ground using powders, rice, or flower petals according to Indian tradition — is something I enjoy. We also do a deep clean to invite fresh energy into the home. Above all, spending time with family is my favourite part of Diwali!
What’s a dish or dessert you always make or enjoy during this time?
I am lucky that both my Nanima and Dadiji (grandmothers) are excellent cooks! My favourite treats are their homemade halwa and barfi.
Halwa is a warm, comforting dessert with a soft, velvety texture that melts in your mouth. Typically made with semolina, ghee, and sugar, it is often topped with nuts, which give it a delightful crunch.
Barfi is a sweet and creamy milk-based treat with a delicate balance of flavours, offering a rich, indulgent bite in every soft, fudgy square.
If you could celebrate Diwali with your family anywhere in the world, where would you most like to go and why?
I would love to experience Diwali celebrations in India with my extended family. I haven’t yet had the chance, and I think it would be an amazing and fun experience. That said, I’m fortunate to have all my immediate family here in Vancouver, including all four of my grandparents, and being able to celebrate with them is something I really cherish.
Vikram Vij, LLD’16
Chef and Sommelier of Vij’s
What does Diwali mean to you?
Diwali is a very special time for me. It reminds me of my childhood in India, where it marked the start of the new financial year. Families would come together to celebrate with sweets, and as kids, we’d receive Diwali money, which I loved spending. It was also a school holiday, and since I didn’t like going to school, that made it even better.
What’s a special childhood memory you have of Diwali?
One Diwali, I performed a one-man show I had written called “Laying the Ghost.” I loved drama and performing in front of people, so I gathered my family and performed the play for them. My uncles and aunts were so happy with my performance that they asked me to do it again, and I ended up making quite a bit of money. I was thrilled and used that money to open my first bank account at the age of 12. I was the first in the family to have a bank account, and I loved sharing that excitement with everyone.
What’s your favourite way to celebrate Diwali today?
Now that I live in North America, I usually cook sweets and distribute them to the guests who visit. We light many candles and say prayers for everyone’s health and prosperity. The kitchen staff at Vij’s also take time to say some prayers, and our entire team celebrates as a family.
What’s a dish or dessert you always make or enjoy during this time?
We often make halwa from semolina, filled with dried fruits. It’s cut into small pieces and garnished with rose petals and silver leaf. It’s served at the end of the meal, and I personally serve it to the guests, wishing everyone a prosperous year.
If you could celebrate Diwali with your family anywhere in the world, where would you most like to go and why?
For me, the spirit of Diwali is best celebrated in New Delhi, where I grew up. My aunts and uncles still live there, and I would love to be in my old hometown, reminiscing about my younger days — how I was always full of tricks, playing with friends and cousins, and avoiding school at all costs.
Robin Gill, BA’93
Journalist and Communications Consultant
What does Diwali mean to you?
It really is just an excuse to indulge!
We make my sister stand in the long lines for sweets in honour of my dad who is no longer with us. When Diwali was approaching, he would subtly hint that we get a box full of sweets for our niece and nephew when in fact it was really for him. It made his day.
Now my mom will drop the same hints so we continue this tradition for her. We figure she deserves to be treated, being 86 and having raised five children.
What’s a special childhood memory you have of Diwali?
We didn't celebrate Diwali in any formal way because life is busy. But one year, my aunt decided it was time we did a Diwali dinner with the entire family for my grandmother. All of our cousins, aunts, and uncles came together. We lit candles throughout the house and all the grandchildren gathered around my grandmother. She was in her element.
What’s your favourite way to celebrate Diwali today?
We keep it simple as if it were any Sunday when we gather with our mom for our weekly family dinner. My eldest sister does the cooking and guarantees there is enough Indian food for anyone who wants to join.
What’s a dish or dessert you always make or enjoy during this time?
There is nothing like the taste of fresh hot jelabis (or jalebis). They are made of a mix of all-purpose flour, chickpea flour, yogurt, and orange colouring. The mix is quickly deep fried in the shape of pretzels. Then they are soaked in syrup flavoured with cardamon and rose water. The chewy and crispy coils are like sugar bombs that burst in your mouth. There’s no waiting to get home to eat them once purchased at the sweet shops. They must be eaten immediately to capitalize on the juiciness.
If you could celebrate Diwali with your family anywhere in the world, where would you most like to go and why?
I was born in Canada but my siblings and parents were born in India. We have all been to India at different times in our lives. But never all together with our parents. Wouldn’t it be a gift if we could all go to India together and see how Diwali is properly celebrated?
