Deepavali in Hyderabad: Stories of sweets, family and finding inner light

People from different walks of life in Hyderabad reflect on the traditions, memories, beliefs and personal rituals that make the festival meaningful to them. Start anew Ashvani Pavan, homemaker, Gaddiannaram, SBH Colony Deepavali means more than just diyas, sweets and decorations. It is a time to pause and reflect on the months gone by, to take stock of the things that worked and those that did not.

Despite the mistakes, disappointments and plans that fell apart, the festival reminds me that there is always an opportunity to begin again, hopefully with a little more light and a little less darkness. The festival is also about coming home — not necessarily to a physical space, but to a place where you feel you belong, surrounded by people who make you feel at home. Having lived in Singapore for many years, the longing to return to Hyderabad during the festival was particularly strong.

Deepavali is also a time for forgiveness, sometimes of others, but more often of myself, and for gratitude towards the everyday things we tend to overlook when life gets busy.