As the Indian community in the UAE prepares to celebrate Diwali on Monday, the “festival of lights” this year coincides with a typical weekday — office responsibilities, school routines, and evening rituals replacing day-long festivities.
With schools resuming right after the mid-term break and the work week beginning, many families are planning to blend routines with traditions—lighting lamps perhaps a bit later than usual.
While Diwali in the UAE might miss the non-stop celebrations seen back home, its spirit of togetherness, illumination, and introspection remains strong for many families.
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‘Still feels like Diwali’
For Anuradha Chakraborty, a Dubai resident, the celebration will start only after her daughter comes home from university.
“My daughter has evening classes on Diwali. As she is in her fourth year at Heriot-Watt University studying Computer Science, she typically attends classes from 6 to 9pm. However, her professors have allowed Indian students to leave early if they wish to celebrate,” she explained.
“While the festival holds importance, education is equally crucial. Living abroad means respecting the local customs,” she added. “I’ll welcome guests in the late evening, wait for her to return, and then we’ll light the lamps and have dinner together.”
Anuradha Chakraborty and her family
“Though it’s a working day, once the diyas are lit, it truly feels like Diwali. It’s all about the ambiance,” she added.
Quiet reminder of home
For Divisha Modi, a physiotherapist residing in Greens, Diwali will be a long day.
“I will follow my usual work routine — I’ve appointments scheduled. But I might visit the temple early in the morning,” she shared. “My son is back to school after a week’s break, hence it’s back to routine for us all.”
She mentioned that the evening marks the festive return. “After work, I’ll call my family in India to wish them. We’ll light up our balcony decorations. That glow itself brings a festive feel.”
For many Indian households across the UAE, this evening light serves as a symbol of connection—a quiet but profound reminder of home.
Divisha Modi and her son
Weekend celebrations, weekday routines
Dubai resident Karthik Chopra shared that his family already celebrated over the weekend.
“Honestly, Monday is a regular working day. Both my wife and I are working, and my son is returning to school post his break. The weekend was all about family and friends, but Monday is back to the usual routine,” he said.
“My son helped decorate the backyard with lights and lamps over the weekend. My wife also crafted a Rangoli. It was a fun family project, and we all contributed.”
“Monday, after school, my son has extra activities, so he’ll be home around 4.30pm. Once my wife and I return from work, we’ll light the earthen lamps — it’s more symbolic now, a way to introduce our son to Indian culture.”
Chopra added that his family prepared some festive treats. “With help from our housekeeper, my wife made laddoos and gujiyas, and we bought kaju katli and soan papdi from a local Indian sweet shop. Even if we can’t have a grand celebration, these sweets bring the Diwali spirit. We may also have brief visits from neighbors to exchange greetings, as we have an Indian family next door.”
