Celebrating Diwali with Rupal from Bombay Artisans

What does Diwali mean to you personally?

Diwali is the largest spiritual and religious festival celebrated by Hindus, both in India and across the world. It marks the end of the monsoon and the beginning of autumn and winter in India. The word Diwali, or Dipawali, comes from “Dipa” (light or lantern) and “vali” (a row), meaning a row of lights. To me, it signifies light, goodness, positivity, togetherness, and the triumph of good over evil. It’s a time to reflect, to celebrate, and to come together with loved ones.

How do you typically celebrate Diwali with your family? Are there any unique traditions that are special to you?

Diwali celebrations start about a month before the actual day, with homes and workplaces being cleaned and decorated with lights and flowers to welcome Lord Ram, Sita, and Lakshman. It’s a time considered auspicious for purchasing new properties, jewellery, or vehicles. On the day itself, we decorate our homes and perform a prayer ceremony in the evening, wearing new traditional Indian attire and offering sweets to deities. We also light sparklers and small firecrackers as part of the celebration. This tradition dates back to the return of Lord Ram after 14 years in exile, a story from the Hindu scriptures, the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

What traditional foods and sweets are a must for your Diwali celebrations?

Sweets play a huge part in Diwali. Freshly made sweets like jalebi, kaju katli, rasgulla, gulab jamun, and ras malai are prepared from ingredients like milk, ghee, almonds, walnuts, and cashews. These are offered to the deities and shared with family and friends. In modern times, people also celebrate with new style cookies, cakes, and other innovative sweets, which are often exchanged as gifts during the festival.

How do you incorporate your cultural heritage and Diwali traditions into your business at the market?

At Bombay Artisans, our products are deeply connected to Indian culture, as all of them are made from Indian cotton, renowned for being the best in the world. We were hoping to collaborate with another small Indian business that makes candles named after Indian deities, but since they are currently out of stock, we plan to offer these candles next year. However, to celebrate Diwali with our customers this year, we are offering a special 10% discount on all our products on Wednesday, 30th October 2024. Just mention the code “Happy Diwali” when you visit our pop-up shop at South Melbourne Market.

What message would you like to share with people who are experiencing or celebrating Diwali for the first time?

Diwali is a time for family. I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to celebrate with loved ones, to pray together for joy, prosperity, and good health. It’s also a great time to invest in something new for your family or business, as it’s seen as an auspicious period for such purchases. One thing I’d like to mention is that many people confuse Diwali lights with early Christmas decorations. If you see lights outside someone’s home around this time, I encourage you to ask if they are celebrating Diwali and wish them “Happy Diwali”. It’s a wonderful way to acknowledge the festival and connect with your neighbours.

Celebrate Diwali with Rupal and Bombay Artisans in the SO:ME Space at South Melbourne Market, open every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8am.