In the heart of Westchester, as the last moments of fall give way to winter, preparations were underway for a celebration that promised to illuminate both the streets and the hearts of our community. Mission accomplished!
Gowri Dantu, the organizer of this year’s annual Diwali celebration in Westchester, was driven by a mission to showcase the holiday which signifies the triumph of light over darkness and to unite neighbors of all backgrounds in the process.
“It’s like Christmas, Hanukkah, everything put together in India,” Dantu explained. “We are welcoming the light into our lives, which diminishes all the negativity, the evil. It always comes down to the good winning over the bad.”
Diwali celebrations traditionally feature fireworks, lots of food, and signify the beginning of a new calendar year, particularly for business. Last year, the festivities were held at Indi-Q in Armonk, which was a huge success among attendees, but they had to turn some people away. This year, Dantu noted the larger venue at the Armonk Indoor Sports Center, plenty of catered food, and as always, the great fun: “The more the merrier!” she said.
For Dantu, this year’s festival takes on additional significance. She explains the importance of bringing the community together to celebrate good winning over bad, and light over darkness.
“We hear so much negativity on a daily basis, you cannot even turn on the news. Also, we all, in our community, have stressful lives, whether it is managing multiple kids’ schedules, school schedules, or our own career schedules. Everybody is always in a rush. But at the same time, we have to take time to anchor the thought that something good is happening in life,” she said.
Dantu also noted that the holiday is of particular importance to members of the Indian community in Westchester, many of whom are immigrants or first-generation children of immigrants, who hope to find a space to celebrate their culture and pass it on to their children.
“For me, the most important thing is to bring that culture alive for our kids, so they understand it,” she stated. “And not just for our kids, but for everyone in the community. Living so far from home, we want to share light with the next person and with our kids.”
Dantu described the lively Indian American community in Westchester and the ways that she stays connected. These include regularly attending events at the India Center of Westchester and the Indian American Cultural Association of Westchester (IACAW), as well as supporting the vibrant local Indian arts scene which includes musicians, dancers, and more.
However, she also hopes that members of the community from any background and religion always feel welcome to join the Diwali festivities and take part in the “festival of light.” She described the unifying nature of the holiday, having grown up in a diverse, cosmopolitan area where Diwali was an occasion to spread something sweet to fellow members of the community.
“I grew up where the celebrations start a month before. My parents, my mom start making all the goodies. We send out so many boxes of goodies, whoever comes home or wherever we go we always take them for everybody. It’s about sharing that sweetness and the joy,” Dantu said. “It transcends religion and race; everyone around just comes together and they celebrate.”
No matter how you choose to celebrate it, the core meaning of the holiday remains the same: maintaining the spirit of goodness despite bad energy that threatens to keep us down, and the individual role we play in uplifting the community at large.
“We all have that power, that little light you can share with your next neighbor.”
Diwali falls on October 31 through November 1, and Dantu’s celebrations are open to all. The North Castle Diwali Dinner/Gala proved to be even bigger this year and extended to the entire community.
According to Dantu, 120 guests arrived in their finest colorful outfits and jewelry for the celebration at the Armonk Indoor Sports Center “and people were pouring in till the last minute,” she shared.
“Friends hosted pre-parties to get ready in Indian outfits or Sarees. I loved that our non-Indian neighbors got into the spirit and wore Sarees, Kurthas,” she said. “We even had friends from France come in… They ran the marathon in the morning and put on their dancing shoes for the evening – their jewelry- the NYC marathon medal!”
The food by Mumbai Khatta brought the regional street food of India to life. “Many of us expats were lining up for pani-puri cart! Desserts were from (yours truly) ‘Gowrisbakes’. I made sure there were gluten-free choices too.”
The vendors included henna artists and a Photo Booth transporting you to cool afternoon at Jaipur’s Amer Fort.
A beautiful classical dance bharathanatyam was performed by Dr. Nalini Rao’s school of dance.
“And our own moms put a Bollywood dance performance overnight working with DJ Bobby from New York City,” exclaimed Dantu.” All in all , everyone came out and celebrated together. There was great food, drinks like the mango-chili spritz was a great hit, music, dancing, love and laughter all around in true Diwali spirit. The only thing that topped all of this was the little fountain fireworks we had. Kids and adults alike were thrilled. All of this would not have happened without my team – my fellow moms.”
Please save date for next year’s Diwali – Oct 18th, 2025
The holiday season is upon us and it’s time to shop, plan celebrations and also enjoy all our communities have to offer at this special time. Here are a few ideas to help celebrate and enjoy the season all while having fun locally:
5. Enjoy a screening of a Big Band Holiday program from Jazz at Lincoln Center in the New Castle Town Hall Assembly Room. The program runs from 6:30-9, p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 starting with refreshments provided by the Friends of the Chappaqua Library and will feature songs both “sacred and secular.”
8. Why not spend some time in early December learning about the traditions of various cultures, communities and religions? Besides boasting many resources for learning about Christmas and Chanukah, the North Castle Public Library has several books about Kwanzaa (Dec. 26-Jan. 1) and a CD of Kwanzaa music for loan. The Chappaqua Library also offers a book about the Hindu festival of Diwali (this year, celebrated already in October), titles about Chinese New Year, and more.
9. To offset the effects of kugel and cookies, give snowshoeing a try. Skip Beitzel, owner of Hickory & Tweed in Armonk, said “Snowshoeing is great. My adage for snowshoeing is, ‘snow and they will go.’” Beitzel, whose shop sells snowshoes for all ages, said his customers snowshoe on local golf courses or on the bike path that runs through Millwood. Those seeking a more arduous experience may even take their snowshoes to ski areas to use them when climbing uphill. “Why not snowshoe as a family?” Beitzel said, since after all many families ski together, and snowshoeing can be done easily and locally–providing there’s snow.
