Celebrating Diwali: A Cultural Fusion of Traditions

Celebrating Diwali: A Unique Blend of Cultures

As Halloween approaches, Seema Singh’s home in Richmond Hill, Queens, will transform into a hub of festive delights. However, the offerings this year will diverge from the traditional miniature candy bars and packs of gum typically handed out to trick-or-treaters. Instead, Singh, who is of Guyanese descent with East Indian heritage, will open her doors to share an array of delectable Indo-Caribbean desserts with family and friends.

This year’s celebration is particularly special as it coincides with the third and most significant night of Diwali, the five-day Hindu festival of lights. Among the treats that will grace her table are goja, a fried coconut tart distinctive to Guyana, and peera, a delightful variation of the Indian sweet called peda, which resembles a rich milk-based fudge.

Diwali, whose date varies each year, is a major celebration in the Hindu calendar, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and goodness over evil. The festival is not only significant for Hindus but is also observed by Sikh, Jain, and certain Buddhist communities, often marked by vegetarian feasting and the illumination of small oil lamps known as diyas.

M.R. Ravi Vaidyanaat Šivãchãriar, the director of religious affairs at the Hindu Temple Society of North America in Jackson Heights, emphasizes that while practitioners universally acknowledge the underlying Hindu principles of the holiday, there are notable regional variations in the ways it is celebrated.

  • Goja – A unique fried coconut tart from Guyana.
  • Peera – A milk-based fudge similar to Indian peda.
  • Phoulourie – A popular savory vegetarian snack made from yellow split peas.

In this vibrant mix of traditions, Singh’s home becomes a warm gathering space where the essence of Diwali is shared, creating a beautiful tapestry of cultural heritage and community spirit.

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