From home kitchens to store shelves, Diwali finds a wider audience in Canada
On her first Diwali in Canada, Harminder Grewal made kheer, said a prayer and thought about her family in India. She had arrived as a new bride in August 1975. When the Festival of Lights came around, she and her husband marked it quietly at home. “On Diwali day we would sit here and miss […]
For Harminder Grewal, Diwali in Canada has transformed from a private family affair to a vibrant community celebration. When she moved to Canada in 1975 as a new bride, the Festival of Lights was marked quietly at home, with her family in India the only ones she missed. The smell of kheer, a traditional sweet rice pudding, and the flicker of diyas, clay lamps, were the only remnants of her Indian roots.
But as her family grew and she met others from her homeland, the holiday evolved. Now, major Canadian retailers stock sweets, diyas, and other Diwali essentials, making it easier than ever for families to partake in the celebration. Schools and community groups also incorporate Diwali into their activities, teaching children about the festival's customs and traditions.
Harminder recalls a time when people worried about disturbing their neighbors with the smell of incense sticks, while now, all the supplies they need are readily available. This shift is evident in how the festival has become a staple in Canadian culture, even appearing on postage stamps and toy aisles. For Harminder, the change has been gradual, but it has brought everyone together, fostering a sense of community and shared heritage.
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