Diwali, known as the festival of lights, is one of the largest festivals observed all over the world and celebrates the triumph of light over dark, good over evil.
The Aurora Public Library District (APLD) will celebrate Diwali October 25 to 30 with programs and events for a variety of ages, which will culminate with Eola Road Branch’s Diwali Celebration Saturday, Oct. 30.
Diwali is traditionally a five-day festival dependent on the Hindu lunar calendar and officially falls on November 4 this year. Diwali is a time to enjoy visits with family and friends, share special sweets and foods, exchange gifts and well-wishes, and enjoy fireworks displays. In addition, small oil lamps called diyas are lighted to represent the triumph of light over darkness, or good over evil. Rupangi Bakshi, Collection Services Clerk, celebrates with family and they perform religious rituals for each day of Diwali. Homes are often decorated with candles, oil lamps, lights of all kinds, flowers, and rangoli designs to welcome family and friends.
For many of the Library staff members, who plan the library’s Diwali events, celebrating Diwali at APLD means sharing Diwali with their community and celebrate with family and friends. Santori Library assistant, Ratna Avasarala, finds that Diwali is not just a time of celebration and reflection for her, but an opportunity to give back to her community in Aurora and share the Diwali festivities with the Library. Avasarala said, “The Library’s Diwali celebration is a way that I’m able to share my culture with the Library community. It’s a wonderful way to meet others, make new friends, and share what Diwali means as a celebration of light, love, and joy!” Diwali programs are available for all ages between October 25 and 30.
For children, we have two special storytimes and a craft program. Santori Library will hold a Bilingual Diwali Storytime on Monday, October 25 at 10 a.m., while West Branch is will hold a Celebrate Diwali! Storytime and Craft Monday, Oct. 25 at 4 p.m.. Both storytimes require tickets which are available 30 minutes before the program. Children ages 6 to 12 years old can participate in the Bangle Tealight Craft October 26 at 4 p.m. at Santori Library. Children will be able to make a tealight holder from a recycled CD in this ticketed program. Tickets will be available 30 minutes prior to the start of the program.
Families can participate in the Rangoli Competition at Santori Library October 27 at 6:30 p.m.. Families will compete for the best Rangoli design. Registration is required for the program.
A Spanish-language program for adults, Portavasos Mandala, Celebramos Diwali, will be held Thursday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. at Santori Library. Participants will create a cupholder with a mandala design for their homes. Registration is required because space is limited.
The Diwali Celebration at Eola Road Branch Saturday, Oct. 30, from 1 p. m. to 4 p.m. will be the final event in our Diwali festivities! The don’t-miss highlight of the celebration will be the Mandala Arts storytelling dance performance for all ages, at 2:30 p.m.. This beautiful interactive performance will feature movement artist Ashwaty Chennat telling stories through Bharatanatyam, a traditional Indian dance form, and music. From 1 to 2:30 p.m., participants can make a tealight craft for their homes. At 2 p.m., families can attend a special English-Hindi bilingual storytime about Diwali. At the end of the celebration, participants can take home a goodie bag with a henna art tattoo and an Indian sweet treat to enjoy later. No registration is needed to attend the Diwali Celebration.
We at APLD hope that you will join us for our Diwali celebrations and discover more about what Diwali means to us. For more information about the Diwali Celebration and other Diwali Aurora Library programs, or to register, please visit our website at www.aurorapubliclibrary.org.