Celebrate Diwali 2025: Traditions and Recipes to Try at Home

For millions of Indians worldwide, the transition into fall brings the excitement of preparing for Diwali — the most significant holiday in Indian culture.

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali celebrates new beginnings, light over darkness, and good over evil. In 2025, Diwali falls on October 20, marking the start of a five-day celebration filled with food, family, and joy.

What Diwali Celebrates

The name Diwali originates from the Sanskrit word Dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” On the first day, families light candles and clay lamps called diyas around their homes and along the streets to brighten the night sky.

Lighting these diyas is more than just decoration — it’s a way to welcome new beginnings and symbolize the triumph of light over darkness.

How Families Celebrate

Every region of India observes Diwali in a slightly different manner, but certain traditions unite everyone: Gathering with family and friends, preparing elaborate feasts, lighting fireworks, and purchasing new clothes and gifts for loved ones.

Serving others is also an important part of the holiday. Many families make charitable contributions or volunteer to help those in need, a beautiful reminder that Diwali’s light shines brightest when it’s shared.

Homes are cleaned and decorated not only with candles and diyas, but also with rangolis — intricate, colorful floor designs made with rice flour or flower petals.

Favorite Diwali Recipes

Since sharing food and sweets is such an integral (and delicious!) part of Diwali, here are two traditional recipes I grew up enjoying.

Dal Makhani

Sarina Shah Grady

A creamy, flavorful curry made from black lentils (urad dal) and kidney beans, Dal Makhani originated in Northern India and remains a popular choice at restaurants worldwide.

Black Dal Makhani Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp ghee
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, finely chopped
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 cup pureed tomatoes, fresh or from a can
• 1.5 tsp salt, add more to taste
• 1 cup dried black urad dal (can purchase at the Indian market)
• ¼ cup dried kidney beans
• 3 cups water
• cilantro
• 2 Tbsp butter for the end

Directions:

1. Rinse black urad dal and kidney beans well, and then soak them overnight or for 7-8 hours in water. Pressure cook in instant pot or pressure cooker until dal and beans have softened, about 30 minutes. 
2. Drain excess water.
3. Heat the ghee over medium heat in a large saucepan. 
4. Once hot, add onion and cumin seeds and cook, stirring occasionally until onion is soft. 
5. Add garlic and ginger, cook for 1 minute, then add spices and pureed tomato and cook a few more minutes. 
6. Add water, salt, dal, and kidney beans. 
7. Bring to simmer, then reduce to low, cover, and cook for a couple of hours, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t stick. 
8. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Can add more water if it becomes too thick.
9. Once done cooking, stir in butter, garnish with cilantro, and serve with rice/naan.

Gajar Halwa

Sarina Shah Grady

Gajar means “carrot,” and this comforting dessert — a sweet carrot pudding — is often described as the Indian version of carrot cake. It’s rich, warm, and pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream.

Gajar Halwa Ingredients:

• 8 medium to large carrots (about 400 grams)
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• ½ tsp ground cardamom
• 2 Tbsp ghee
• ¼ cup slivered almonds, roasted

Directions:

1. Wash and peel carrots. Hand grate them for best results. Add carrots to a heavy bottom pan and dry roast on low heat for about 15 minutes, until they change into a deep orange color.
2. Add milk and cook on medium heat, stirring often so the carrots don’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Cook until milk evaporates. 
3. Add sugar and mix well. 
4. Keep cooking and continuously stirring until the mixture becomes thick and caramelizes, which should take about 10-15 minutes. 
5. Add cardamom, ghee, and about ¾ of the roasted slivered almonds. Stir well. 
6. Serve warm or chilled with vanilla ice cream. Garnish with the remaining slivered almonds.

Wishing You Light and Love

May your Diwali be filled with love, laughter, and the glow of a thousand diyas.

Happy Diwali from my family to yours!

Sarina Shah Grady and her family live in Santa Monica, Calif. A version of this story originally appeared in 2021 in Macaroni KID Santa Monica.