Celebrate the Festival of Lights

Also known as the festival of lights, Diwali is celebrated by millions around the world in either October or November, depending on the Hindu lunar calendar. Though the origin and reasons for its celebration vary by region and religion, it shares a common theme — new beginnings, the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness. During the festivities, Houses are decorated with diyas (oil lamps), candles and colorful rangoli — an art form in which patterns of colored rice, dry flour, sand or flower petals are created on the floor—and families come together to feast and share gifts.

Bringing Together Family and Friends

Several Adobe employees shared what the festival means to them and how they celebrate with their family.

“It is a festival that celebrates family. I find it is like Thanksgiving and Christmas in the U.S.,” said Raghu Rao.

For Kalindi Raichura, “Diwali has always been something empowering: a time to reflect on all of the positives within our lives — our loving friends and family, our good health, and prosperity — and realize what is truly important. Diwali literally means ‘a row of lamps’ in Sanskrit. Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama, King of Ayodhya, with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana from a 14-year exile and a war in which he vanquished the demon king Ravana. It was said that the whole city of Ayodhya was lit up with a million lamps to welcome the king.”

Sweets and Savories

As with any holiday and celebration, there are many significant dishes that are enjoyed during the festival of lights, ranging from sweet to savory.

One of the sweeter foods is ladoo or laddu. It’s a sphere-shaped sweet made of flour, sugar and butter with other added ingredients like ghee and coconut.

Halwa is another sweet food eaten during the festival. It is a sweet pudding made from cereals, fruits or vegetables and made in ghee. Deepkamal Singh, Sr. Demo Developer, eats a type of halwa called moong dal halwa. It’s his favorite dish to eat during the festival.

Diwali at Adobe

These traditions will be celebrated at several Adobe sites throughout October to November. Adobe’s two Noida offices celebrated their Diwali on October 12 with more than 1,500 employees participating. And we’re bringing the festivities to some of our U.S. sites too.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to celebrate Diwali. As Parampreet Singh, Computer Scientist, said it, “this festival is a reminder of the unity of people from various communities and religions who come together as one for the celebration.”

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