Diwali – is the most special of occasions. The festival of light brings people together in celebration, regardless of wealth or status, race, background or beliefs. In the midst of the clutter & chaos in most towns which heave with activity in perpetuity, Diwali provides a welcome occasion to stop, take a pause for breath, gather loved ones and celebrate all that is good & serene in the world around. It's a symbol of awakening, new joy and hope, and the ushering of their new year.

In the days and weeks before Diwali excitement and gaiety flickers through Delhi like electricity. It gently brings all the members of the family and community back together, much like an old dadi (grandmother) lovingly knitting a jumper, pulling at loose ends, tugging at the corners, and reaffirming the ties that bind. Mothers and grandmothers embark on their annual frenzy of airing out, cleaning and tidying; each corner of the house is painted bright, and the prized Family Heirlooms and silverware stored away for ‘best’ are taken out with a flourish for Diwali. Each household ritual has its own sweet, nostalgic significance. But what matters is not the size of the home, whether the trappings of Diwali are luxurious and brand-new or carefully preserved hand-me-downs. What matters in every home, is that come dusk, each window and door is left open, and earthen oil lamps are lit to welcome Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth.

The day of Diwali dawns: the Diwali story has been played out. The fearsome ten-headed demon Ravana has been defeated; Lord Rama and Hanuman are on their gloried return home, with Sita safely rescued fro m Ravana.

Homes are sparkling clean. Dinner tables groan with the weight of food lovingly prepared throughout the day. Platters are laden with sweets (and filched by small, sticky fingers!). Miniature earthen lamps with cotton wicks are dipped in ghee and lit as the sun sets. And families dressed in silken Diwali finery gather around as the dusky skyline is illuminated by firecrackers. Sparklers, pinwheels, rockets, ladi bombs – this is how my generation remembers it. Now the greener more responsible Diwali is done with E-Crackers and symbolic smoke-free Crackers - but the mithai, the colourful celebrations, fun and laughter remain in joyous abound… this is the picture of Diwali in any home in India.

And this year, here in Dublin, we would once again like to invite you to celebrate Diwali with us We may not be in India, but somehow, we can all try and capture a little of its spirit

and share it with each other.