Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating! May your day be filled with lots of light, happiness and delicious food.

Today is a day to put on your best clothes and gather with friends and family to enjoy an evening of feasting and fireworks.

We would traditionally enjoy a meal of rice, lentil and vegetable curries, fried masala fish, puris (fried Indian bread) and mango pulp. Heaven!

I would love to know what people around the world eat on Diwali. Every family has their own traditions. There are so many things we could learn from different people and cultures.

Once everyone has indulged a little too much, it’s normally time for sparklers and fireworks. We stand outside in the cold waiting for the brave ones to light the fireworks and brighten up the garden. We also attempt to paint with light using the sparklers and quickly spell out our names in the air before the sparklers die out.

It’s lots of fun for both adults and children. Generations come together and celebrate how blessed we are. The past couple of years have been tough on the whole world and it is times like these where we count our blessings. We think of those who are no longer with us and cherish the memories we had with them. We give thanks for everything we have and everything we had. I think Covid has taught us to enjoy the simple things in life!

Wherever you are in the world, I wish you a very happy Diwali and a prosperous new year (Indian Calendar!).

P.S I made this Rangoli pattern using Indian spices and lentils. It took me forever and my knees were in agony but I had fun! Oh the things you do when the toddler is away at nursery…

My name is Bhavisha Surti and I am a food photographer and stylist based in Milton Keynes. Please subscribe to my blog below and check out my website to see more of my work at www.jbimagery.co.uk. Thank you!