In India, the New Year celebration is called Deepavali or Diwali, or Festival of Lights, and this year it falls on Nov 1st, 2005.

India is an old land, is a land of symbols, rituals, mythology, homage and festivals. At the heart of India is a unique philosophy that aligns itself with cosmic energy or Ohm. This energy, in turn, is divided into male and female energies. There are many, many sub-masculine and feminine energies. The main masculine energies are symbolized by Brahma (creative energies), Shiva (destroyer of false illusions) and Vishnu (preserver of our authentic self). The feminine energies are mainly divided into Gauri/Parvati (goodness), Saraswati (wisdom) and Lakshmi (wealth). This philosophy is called Hinduism. In practice, Hinduism is a philosophy and not a religion.

The ancient rituals were intended to help us create powerful lives. Diwali was used to bring home the knowledge that one must have the three female energies in equal balance to really enjoy life—for example my mother used to tell me that too much wealth without wisdom and goodness would not be the best of situations and vice versa. But the three energies in somewhat equal balance would be a recipe for a good life. Also, one should work to infuse the male energies of being creative, aligning with truth and finding our true self.

The Diwali mantra is Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya (may we lead ourselves from darkness to light). Over time, Diwali was merged with the celebration of the popular and beloved King Ram returning after a long exile. This event happened at Diwali time the beginning of a New Year.

But when I was growing up, I was more concerned with all the gaiety and fireworks that mark Diwali. I would look forward to the nights leading up to Diwali where we (children, teenagers, mothers, fathers, grandparents from all religions) would dress up in traditional finery and go up to the terraces of the tall buildings of Bombay where we would dance away the nights together. The young crowd would stay until the wee hours of the morning. (If you have a chance, go to the Navratri [Nine Day] dance held every year in Minneapolis—it is colorful and fun.)

On Diwali day we would dress the house with oil lamps. It is a day to go inward as a family—the family would recite mantras (philosophical stanzas) or take account of what we learned that year as we closed out the year. Then there was a tasty vegetarian meal (most meals on Hindu rituals and festival days in India emphasize a vegetarian meal). The meal is full of flavor and special ingredients consisting of poori (a fried bread), alu rasedar (a potato curry), dahi bhalla (a lentil patty smothered in yogurt and topped with a tamarind sauce) and kheer, the rice pudding. After the meal, we would connect with the neighborhood to light fireworks and look at the landscape, which would be twinkling with lights.

The day after Diwali is an important day to visit extended family and friends to share wishes for a happy and prosperous new year. On this day, sweets or fruits are exchanged to symbolize that everyone would have a sweet year ahead.