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2023 Diwali

: Purple, yellow, and pink rangoli decorate a floral shaped arch surrounding the centered pink words ”Diwali.” The background is yellow with embossed yellow rangoli designs.

Diwali, meaning "row of lights" in Sanskrit, is a major cultural event celebrated in San Diego and around the world by Hindu, Sikh, and Jain diasporas. The lights represent the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Lasting for five days, Diwali is typically observed in early autumn and follows the Hindu lunisolar calendar. In many parts of India, the day after Diwali is also celebrated as the new year, and we greet each other with “Sal Mubarak,” meaning “Happy New Year!” While Diwali signifies different meanings for various communities and regions, people typically celebrate with prayer, togetherness, delicacies and snacks, fireworks, and lights. San Diego Public Library recognizes Diwali with our celebrations, children’s crafts, and books.



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Celebrations




A South Asian family, composed of a man, woman, and child, each hold out a yellow sparkler. The family stands in front of a magenta background embossed with a rangoli design.





Join us at our celebrations taking place at various locations. Libraries will celebrate with crafts, music, dance, and refreshments. Activities will vary by branch:





 

Children's Crafts




In the foreground are three blue diyas or oil lamps that are used traditionally as part of Diwali celebrations. Above the three diyas is a string of yellow lights. The three diyas are positioned in front of a magenta background embossed with a rangoli.





Make Your Own Paper Diya

Available Wednesday, November 1 - Wednesday, November 15 | Rancho Penasquitos Library

While supplies last.


Toddler Art (Diwali)

Monday, November 6 | 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | North University Community Library


Diwali-inspired Take & Make Craft

Starting Monday, November 6 | Point Loma Library

While supplies last.


Create-It Thursday: Diwali Craft

Thursday, November 9 | 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. | Skyline Hills Library

Registration required.


Diwali Paper Lantern Craft

Thursday, November 9 | 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Carmel Valley Library




 

Book Display





  • Mira Mesa Library fills two display cases with a black and red checker background that proudly feature Diwali books and diyas in the front. The display cases are lined with black and red squares and orange and yellow squares. The words “DIWALI” are spelled vertically in a rainbow pennant in the middle of the two display cases.

  • During Diwali, Mira Mesa Library recognizes the celebration in their community room, which they decorate with a rainbow pennant that spells out, “HAPPY DIWALI” and “FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS.” Below the rainbow pennant is a red ribbon of felt with a string of green light-shaped decorations.

  • The Mira Mesa Library proudly showcases a Diwali display on a black shelf lined with colorful images of diyas or oil lamps. The shelf portrays four children’s books. The books are titled: Diwali, Shubh Diwali!, Binny’s Diwali, and It’s Diwali!

  • The Mira Mesa Library proudly showcases a Diwali display on a black shelf lined with colorful images of diyas or oil lamps. The shelf portrays four children’s books. Three books are juvenile nonfiction books about the Diwali holiday and one book is a picture book called The Diwali Gift featuring three little monkeys on the cover.

  • At the Rancho Penasquitos Library, purple, pink, and green paper diyas (oil lamps) line a bookshelf. Behind the paper diyas, there is a sign that provides an explanation about “Diwali, Festival of Lights,” a photograph of rangoli, and container that holds several take-home kits so families can make their own paper diyas at home.




 


 

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