A Fox Chapel woman is raising awareness to the public about the biggest annual celebration in India.
Anita Nischal organized and sponsored a Diwali-themed Make-N-Take: Celebrate Diwali event Oct. 15 at the Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel.
“I love doing things like this, and it’s the most important festival of the year for Hindus because it culminates in the new year. It’s rejoicing and celebrating good over evil,” Nischal said.
The event was geared toward elementary-age children and their guardians.
About 25 people attended.
The story of Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means rows of lighted lamps.
Diwali is a celebration to welcome the new year and celebrate the victory of good over evil and light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
Diwali is celebrated on different days each year. This year’s celebration is Oct. 31.
The five-day festival includes celebrations that include religious rituals, parties, eating sweets, feasts, exchanging gifts, fireworks and gathering with families and sharing traditional stories.
Pennsylvania state House passed a bill on April 26, 2023, to officially recognize Diwali.
The bill was introduced by state Rep. Arvind Venat, D-McCandless.
During the library program, attendees of all ages learned about the festival of Diwali through a variety of activities, including coloring and making tea light holder crafts, music, snacks and fellowship.
Megan Fogt, who heads the library’s youth services department, said the new program is the latest offerings dedicated to enhancing cultural input for patrons.
Nischal distributed swag bags that included freshly made vegetarian snacks donated by Spice Affair of Aspinwall.
