Celebrating Diwali in the UK

Every Diwali celebration brings light, love, and a little bit of reflection and this year's Festival of Lights made me look back on how much I've grown, not just in life, but in the way I celebrate this beautiful Indian festival.

I've always loved Diwali - the decorations, the dressing up, the planning, the delicious food, and that cozy, festive chaos that fills every corner of the home.

Diwali 2022 – A Simple Start

🌸 Our first Diwali in the UK.

We had just moved into a small rented place in London, and I was still working on the day of Diwali. I logged out early, to do preparation for festival.

No space for fireworks, no space for rangoli, too many rules of rented house, but that didn’t stop us! We decorated our little window, made a yummy dinner, invited a friend over, and celebrated in our own quiet, cozy way.

Diwali 2023 – Growing Into It

🪔 By 2023, we’d moved into a slightly bigger rented home.

I went full-on Diwali shopping mode bought a lot of candles from IKEA — only to realize I couldn’t light all my diyas indoors (hello, fire safety rules 😅).

Still, the spirit was strong! I made a small floral rangoli, we did a lovely puja, dressed up, and yes — I finally insisted on some fireworks! We got sparklers, and it felt like a little piece of India had come to our balcony

Diwali 2024 – Our First Home

🏡 Ah, our first Diwali in our own house! 🥰

The place wasn’t quite ready — half-furnished, minimal decor, and not enough chairs for everyone — but it didn’t matter. We invited our closest friends for dinner, laughed, ate, and soaked in that priceless feeling of celebrating in our very own home.

Diwali 2025 – Finding Joy in Every Little Thing

🌼 And this year… what a beautiful change!

I took 4–5 days off work to deep-clean, decorate, and just enjoy. We put up lights, diyas (battery ones this time — practical and pretty!), and I made my first-ever chawal rangoli.

The flowers and even the grapes came straight from my garden — something that made this Diwali feel extra special. We did the puja, shared sweets and gifts with our lovely neighbors, and even had friends over for a big celebration with fireworks.

No, it’s not exactly like the Diwalis I had back in India — the noise, the crowd, the smell of crackers in the air. But it’s ours.

Our own version of Diwali — filled with love, light, laughter, and gratitude. And honestly, that’s what makes it perfect. 💛

A Four-Year Journey from London Flat to Our Own Home <3

✨ Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating — wherever you are, may your home be filled with warmth and your heart with joy! ✨