Festival of Diwali

May the joy and cheer of this divine festival surround you forever.
May the happiness that this season brings brighten your life.
Hope the year brings you luck and fulfills all your dreams!
Happy Narak Chaturdashi and Happy Diwali!

Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated on the second day of the five day-long celebration of Diwali. This festival commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over Narakasur. It is believed that the day is auspicious to get rid of a hex, curse, black magic or bad luck. During this day, people wake up earlier than usual, use perfumed oils before baths, and wear clean or new clothes. Kajal is applied by women around their eyes as it is believed to keep away evil eye from these religious ceremonies. Delicacies such as laddus, chaklis, sakkaparas, and badam halwa are enjoyed all day with friends and families.

In different parts of India, Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated in various ways:

In Goa, effigies of Narakasur are paraded in the streets and eventually are burned to symbolize the victory of good over evil.

In south India, people apply Ubtan (made made from a paste of kumkum and oil) on their foreheads before baths. Ubtan symbolizes the blood that Lord Krishna smeared on his forehead after his victory.

In Western India, this festival marks the harvest season. Delicacies are made from rice taken from fresh harvest. Coconuts are offered for Lord Hanuman. Prasad is made with sesame seed, Brigadoon, rice, sugar, and ghee in some parts.

In Eastern India, People create Rangoli on the floor. At dusk, Diyas and candles are lit in the house to mark the celebration.

These are the vegan Diwali treats I make. Easy and quick recipes to follow and you can read them HERE.
(clockwise: Vegan Coconut Barfi/Fudge, Ribbon Pakoda, Murruku, and Kaju Katli or Cashew Fudge)

How about you? What do you prepare for Diwali? What traditions do you observe?  Feel free to send me photos of your recipes!

Thanks for reading! See you on the next. 🙂