Traditionally marking the beginning of a new year in India, Diwali digs deeper than the changing of a calendar.
Known as the "festival of lights," the celebration is an important aspect of their faith and community, Nayan Shah, M.D., said during Friday's Diwali celebration at the Radisson at Lackawanna Station hotel in Scranton.
"A highlight is the meeting and greeting of new and old friends," Dr. Shah said.
More than 300 people celebrated the occasion Friday, dancing to the music of Canadian DJ Ronne Bhandaari, eating traditional Indian food and spending time with friends and family. The event stems from several Hindu myths, including how the god Rama overthrew a demon, Ravana, and was welcomed back into his kingdom, Ayodhya, by candles lit in clay pots.
"It's compared to Christmas," Dr. Shah said. "We celebrate for religious reasons."
Parminder Parmar, Ph.D., also thought it was comparable to Christmas. She said it is not an uncommon sight to see thousands of houses lit up in India around Diwali, some with electric lights and some with oil candles.
"You forget about everything bad in life, at least for a little while," Dr. Parmar said.
Leela Baikadi misses the Diwali celebrations in her native India and hopes to provide her children with some of the same positive experiences she has had from previous years. "You know how it is during Christmas," she said. "People walking around happy, lots of good fun."
Contact the writer jkohut@timesshamrock.com