By Amy & Srinu Regeti — The Regeti’s | South Asian Wedded Life (SAWL)
There’s something truly magical about October and November in Virginia — that crisp fall air, the rustle of leaves under your feet, and the glow of porch pumpkins that seem to smile as the sun goes down earlier each day. But in our house, this time of year means something even brighter — Diwali, the festival of lights.
And for us — a blended Indian-American family — it’s never just one thing or the other. It’s a mix of flickering diyas andcandlelit pumpkins. It’s the sound of sparklers crackling outside while Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan songs play in the background. It’s the smell of basmati rice, chickpea curry, mushroom fry, potato masala, and masoor dal wafting through the kitchen — followed by Besan ladoos and pumpkin pie because, well, why not both?
A Festival of Light — and Meaning
Diwali, at its heart, is about light — about goodness, gratitude, and renewal. In India, it’s a time to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness and hope over despair. It’s marked by lighting oil lamps, decorating homes, exchanging sweets, and spending time with family.
For us here in America, it’s also become a season of reflection — a reminder to pause, give thanks, and welcome warmth into our home as the year winds down. There’s something beautiful about how this festival, though rooted in Hindu tradition, resonates universally: we all crave light, peace, and togetherness.
Our Family Blend — Diwali, with a Dash of Fall
This year, we decorated the outside of our home with strands of golden fairy lights that wrapped around the porch railing and glimmered through the pumpkins we’d picked earlier that week. The flicker of diyas danced alongside our carved gourds — East met West in the prettiest way.
Eshaan and our niece Monita took turns holding sparklers in the driveway, their laughter mixing with the echoes of “It’s the Time to Disco” and “Senorita” from our Bollywood playlist. Inside, the kitchen came alive — pots bubbling, spices sizzling, the comfort of familiar aromas wrapping around us like a warm hug.
Dinner was a colorful spread of everything we love: fragrant rice, chickpea curry, mushroom fry, potato curry, and masoor dal — a little taste of home. And because traditions evolve beautifully, dessert was a perfect pairing of Besan ladoos and homemade pumpkin pie.
Somewhere between lighting diyas and refilling plates, we all paused for that simple, sweet feeling — gratitude.
Finding Your Own Fusion of Light
What I love about celebrating Diwali here in the States is that it doesn’t have to look one particular way. Whether you’re Indian, married to someone who is, or simply drawn to the spirit of the season — there’s room for everyone at the Diwali table.
You can hang string lights along your porch, place a few tea candles by the window, cook a simple Indian meal, or even add a pumpkin spice twist to your ladoos. The point isn’t perfection — it’s participation. It’s about creating your version of light.
In a world that sometimes feels too divided, holidays like Diwali remind us that joy doesn’t belong to one culture — it belongs to all of us who choose to celebrate it.
A Little Light, A Lot of Love
As the diyas flickered against the night sky and the fireworks faded, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for our little fusion life — one filled with laughter, music, and the kind of memories that glow long after the candles go out.
If you’ve never celebrated Diwali before, this might just be the perfect time to start. Add your own touch — light a candle, make something sweet, play your favorite Bollywood playlist, and invite a little extra light into your life this season.
From our family to yours — Happy Diwali and Happy Fall! ✨
🎶 Our Diwali Playlist Favorites
- “It’s the Time to Disco” – Shah Rukh Khan (Kal Ho Naa Ho)
- “Senorita” – Hrithik Roshan (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara)
- “Ghungroo” – Hrithik Roshan (War)
- “Deewangi Deewangi” – Shah Rukh Khan (Om Shanti Om)
- “Badtameez Dil” – Ranbir Kapoor (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani)
