If there is one thing the Indian community is known for, it is throwing a spectacular party, and none other than Deepavali – or Diwali, in short – is the culture’s most grandiose of celebrations. It is one of the most important festival for the Indian community, also referred to as the ‘Festival of Lights’, Diwali is an occasion permeated with diyas (clay lamps), decorations, vibrant dresses and lots of traditional sweets.
What is Diwali?
Although traditionally, celebrations span over five days, starting with Dhanteras on 2 November for the year 2021, for businesses to ring in the new financial year, followed by chhotti diwali (new year’s eve) on the next day, in Hong Kong, it is the third day on 4 November that marks the main event – Diwali.
On this day, the more than 38,000-strong Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities celebrate the New Year and hold a pooja (prayer ceremony) for Lakshmi and Ganesh, the Gods of Prosperity and Health – celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Then, the rest of the day and the days that follows will be dedicated to friends and families to gather, dress up, eat a feast and turn up the Bollywood music! If you’re curious as to how to join in on the celebrations with your Indian friends, we guide you to the places to eat, the sweets to buy and where to get a beautiful traditional saris and sherwanis.
Sweets to Eat and Gift
Emblematic to the festival are the mouth-watering sweets that the community share among each other as a symbol of wishing one another a prosperous year. Bright, colourful and delectably delicious, desserts such as mithai, gulab jamun, kheer and jalebi are the traditional offerings on this occasion. Here’s where to get them…
Gaylord and Gunpowder
Prince Tower, Tsim Sha Tsui and J Residence, Wan Chai
Offering freshly-boxed Diwali sweets at both of its Indian restaurants, Gaylord and Gunpowder.
Price: From HK$150
Desi Bazaar
120 Caine Road, Mid-Levels
Desi Bazaar makes for a convenient trip to get your Indian snack fix if you live up in the mid-levels. An Indian grocery store with a range of products to choose from, it has the freshest of Diwali sweets.
Where to Eat
There can be no Indian celebration without the delicious feast that goes along with it. To mark the day with friends and families, here are the available Diwali menus…
New Punjab Club
34 Wyndham Street, Central
Black Sheep’s New Punjab Club has launched Chef Palash’s Chef Palash Dreams of Diwali, comprised of two Diwali delivery menus – Dhamaka (HK$558 per person) and the Dhanlakshmi (HK$478 per person). Think Lahori Charga (traditional fried chicken) and Paneer Tikka Lababdar (tandoor-cooked coottage cheese in onion and tomato masala).
They also have a Mithai Box of Sweet Dreams (HK$488 per box of 500gms) available for order.
Chaiwala
43-55 Wyndham Street, Central
From pani puri and Bombay fried chicken to tandoori lamb chops and more, the Central-set Chaiwala is offering a Diwali menu (HK$520 per person) for the entire week with an optional 2-hour free-flow (HK$240)
Bombay Dreams
46 Wyndham Street, Central
Another local favourite and the longest-standing Indian restaurant in the city, Bombay Dreams offers Indian staples and traditional dishes that will please any patron with a palate for savory and sweet. Also on offer is a sumptuous selection of mithais, malai cham cham, barfis and assorted sweet box to take home. (From HK$298 to HK$398)
Diyar and Candles
No Diwali celebration is complete without diyas (clay lamps) – representing enlightenment, knowledge and wisdom – in which candles are lit to dispel darkness into light. To grab your stock of decorative diyas, find them at SpiceBox Organics or Spice Store.
Traditional Wear
Diwali is no better time to show off your best saris and sherwanis, embellished with gold and vibrant shades, Sanskrit Bespoke Fashion, Ethnetica, and Kanta Trading Company are a few options to get your statement making piece.
Also Read: Feeling Festive? Home decor to brighten your Christmas celebrations