For those that have always wondered what Diwali is, and how you can experience it at home in Ireland without travelling to India, we have you covered. To begin with, Diwali is a major Indian festival, popularly known as the festival of lights. With Ireland playing home to thousands of people of different nationalities, including Indians, it is natural that many international festivals are celebrated with great fervour in the Emerald Isle.

This year, Diwali falls on October 24th and traditionally, it is celebrated for five days, if not more. A Hindu festival, Diwali marks the onset of a new year and involves the worship of the goddess of wealth, known as Lakshmi. This annual festival is also a celebration of good over evil. Similar to most holidays celebrated by communities and religions across the globe, although each household ritual has its own sweet, nostalgic significance, there is an abundance of feasting, festive cheer, and meeting and greeting friends, family, colleagues and neighbours.

It is believed, that on Diwali day, the goddess of wealth puts aside time to pay a visit to households, and if your door looks welcoming with beautiful lights, flower arrangements and patterns, she decides to pay you a visit! (Get in the spirit by purchasing some colourful fairy lights and a lottery ticket!).

Experience a Diwali Special Menu

Ananda, a fine dining restaurant listed in Michelin Guide, has put together a Diwali special tasting menu. Asheesh Dewan, Director of Jaipur Group, explains the thought behind the festive all-vegetarian menu: “It’s inspired by the various temple cities of India. Dwarka, Amritsar, Benares, Jagannath Puri, Naina Devi in Dev Bhumi Himachal and the holiest of all Indian cities, Haridwar. Its origins lie in the philosophy that – ‘A man is what he eats.’ This culinary legacy has influenced the development of a myriad of food cultures including one of the most creative vegetarian cuisines in the world.”

Of course, there are ample non-vegetarian options available on the à la carte menu but if you want to experience a taste of Diwali in Dublin, you may want to take a look at the specially curated tasting menu at Ananda. It is comprised of festive snacks, which are sure to go down a treat, such as Khandvi (steamed, savoury and sweet gram flour pasta), Karara (celeriac and onion pakora), and Kadak (spinach & crème fraiche tart). Guests will also be served dum aloo kadhi, a delicious Gujarati delicacy which consists of tandoori stuffed baby potatoes in sweet and sour buttermilk.

There’s also Kaddu Khasta khatta meetha (five spiced autumn butternut squash, traditional masala-infused puffed Indian pastry), Gucci paneer (smoked cottage cheese, sautéed morel, and pulao rice).

How can a Diwali feast be complete without indulging your sweet tooth? The menu offers Jamun sorbet (java plum sorbet, toasted cumin), Kaala Jaam (black milk pearl, saffron cream with honeycomb wafer) as well as the popular nariyal barfi-masala chai (coconut fudge, Himalayan tea).

Asheesh adds: “Representing so much that is dear to us, Diwali is celebrated with boundless passion here at Ananda and the entire Jaipur Group. We’re thrilled at the chance to celebrate all that is good in the world and to look to the future with hope and excitement. In that spirit, although we are a long way from India, we hope you will join us for a wonderful party to celebrate together as one in Dublin.”