Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is the most important holiday celebrated in India. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that are placed outside the home to symbolize the inner light that protects us all from spiritual darkness.

 This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians. However, the holiday is not strictly religious, and in the same way Christmas has come to be celebrated by people of all creeds around the world, Diwali has become a national holiday that is also enjoyed by non-Hindu communities. 

Diwali is celebrated over a period of 5 days

Day One: 

People observe Diwali by cleaning their homes and shop for gold to help welcome good fortune.

Day Two: 

Homes are decorated with clay lamps and colored sand and flowers are often used to create beautiful rangoli, design patterns, on the floor. 

Day Three: 

On the main day of the festival, families gather together for a great celebration complete with sweets and lovingly prepared food. It's a beautiful, colorful feast that ends with fireworks or sparklers.

Day Four: 

This day marks the first day of the new year. Friends and relatives visit each other giving gifts and best wishes for the year ahead.

Day Five: 

Siblings visit each other and share a luxurious meal.

Simple Diwali recipes to try for your holiday festivities

Much like Thanksgiving and Christmas, Diwali and many other Indian holidays are all about coming together with gratitude to share joy and great meals with our loved ones. AVYA’s roots in Indian culture influence our love for sharing our experience of Ayurveda and for creating great skincare that combines the power of Ayurvedic science and the latest advances in molecular technology. In the giving spirit of Diwali, we thought it would be fun to share some quick and easy holiday recipes that you can make for your loved ones for upcoming gatherings and celebrations. Enjoy!

 Masala Peanuts

This tasty, crunchy and spicy snack is vegan, gluten-free and easy to make. It can be served with teas or cocktails, making it a versatile choice for any gathering or party. The peanuts are usually deep fried, but they turn out just as good in an air fryer and are far more healthy. Learn more about this quick, simple recipe here. 

 Kalakand

Kalakand is a sweet, creamy, cheesecake-like dessert that is always a crowd favorite. It's made with a reduction of sugar and milk, often flavored with cardamom powder, and has a grainy texture. Sometimes it's garnished with pistachio or other finely chopped nuts. We’ve added a link for a quick ten-minute recipe that your friends and family will definitely love here.  

 Paneer or Chicken Tikka

This savory, spicy dish is quick to make and can either be made vegetarian with paneer, an Indian cottage cheese, or with an animal protein like chicken making it versatile and perfect for a gathering where different dietary needs must be met. It’s a flavorful dish that relies on properly marinating the paneer or chicken and it works really well as an appetizer. Here is an easy paneer tikka recipe to try.