Image provided by author. Top: Colorful rangoli.
Diwali is a 5-day long festival that is celebrated every year by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. It is known as the “Festival of Lights” and celebrates the triumph of light and good over dark and evil. Diwali occurs on different days every year around October or November because it is according to the lunar calendar. Diwali is celebrated differently in different areas, but some common Diwali traditions are lighting diyas, making colorful rangoli, wearing traditional clothing, and setting off fireworks at night. This festival is celebrated by many Washington students.
One such student is junior Elora Das. One of her favorite Diwali memories is going to neighborhood Diwali parties when she was younger. “I remember all of us gathering in the evening to light fireworks and dancing together,” says Elora. To her, and many others in the Washington community, Diwali is truly a time of celebration and fun.
Nishika Datla is a junior at Washington High School. She was born in Hayward, but has lived in Fremont her entire life. This is her third year with The Hatchet, and she is the News Editor and the website manager this year. She is interested in covering stories about the arts, activism, and important events in both the Washington community and the world. Nishika enjoys drawing, crocheting, playing badminton, and hanging out with her friends. In the future she hopes to go to college and become a scientist.