How the team members of the Indian Heritage Centre celebrate Deepavali

In the lead-up to Deepavali on October 20, the Indian Heritage Centre ramps up its celebrations for the Festival of Lights. It marks its 10th anniversary at its annual Deepavali Open House. 

Running every weekend until October 19, the flower-themed festivities honour the significance flowers play in Indian culture. On top of free admission to all exhibitions within the centre, a Festive Market offers various activities, including vendors selling jewellery, henna painting, a photobooth, and a flower tying demonstration. 

Before the festive occasion, we ask three members from the Indian Heritage Centre team about how they spend their Deepavali.

Kiruthiga Mahendran, general manager

Deepavali to me is about a sense of renewal and clarity. It’s a chance to take stock of the year, reflect on the various challenges and joys I’ve experienced, and be grateful for the family, friends, and loved ones I can celebrate and reconnect with.

It varies year to year, depending on whose turn it is to host. If we are not hosting, my family will visit friends and loved ones, and call up those who are living overseas to exchange greetings and catch up.

But of course, the one constant comes as dusk falls, my family will light up the deepam (oil lamp) at our doorway and entrances, to keep the darkness at bay and usher in peace and harmony.

My favourite part is the food! Beyond giving myself the licence to savour various goodies which I would otherwise try to avoid, it’s a chance to share my favourite snacks with my friends. This is especially true for those who don’t celebrate the occasion or are from different ethnic backgrounds, as it invites them to understand my culture better.  

There is one single way to celebrate Deepavali! The truth is, our traditions differ across the different Indian communities. Even different families have varying ways of celebrating together. What binds these traditions is a celebration of renewal and the triumph of good over evil.

Rajkumar, assistant director of programmes

To me, Deepavali means my grandma’s spicy murukku, my mum’s once-a-year mutton biryani, and the family chaos that comes with trying to get everyone ready for our official family photo. It’s a day when calories don’t count, and I eat everything my heart desires.

It’s also when I take on the role of “chief decorator” — I’m the one up at odd hours on the eve of Deepavali, hanging all the festive lights and making sure the house feels alive with celebration.

Our celebrations usually start early in the morning with prayers and a special home-cooked meal. We open our doors to relatives and friends who drop by throughout the day, and the house quickly fills with chatter, laughter, and the smell of food.

Deepavali has always been a big family affair — growing up, our home was the epicentre of the festivities, especially when my grandparents were around. Everyone would “report” to our place to visit them, and it became an annual reunion of sorts.

My favourite part has to be the food — specifically, my mum’s legendary mutton biryani. The recipe was passed down from my grandfather, who used to cook it for weddings. It’s a slow, painstaking process to get the meat that soft and tender. It’s the one dish I look forward to every single year.

But beyond the food, I also love the evening when we light the oil lamps and play with sparklers — there’s something magical about that glow and the feeling of togetherness it brings.

A common misconception is that Deepavali is only a religious festival. While it has deep spiritual roots, for many of us it’s also about family, togetherness, and renewal — celebrating light, warmth, and positivity in all its forms.

It’s less about rituals and more about reconnecting with loved ones, spreading joy, and embracing a sense of gratitude and hope.

Vatsala Veerasamy, assistant director of Visitor Experience & Community Engagement

To me, Deepavali means more than just the Festival of Lights. It means spending meaningful time and bonding with my family, sharing meals, stories, and laughter.

Part of the joy of Deepavali begins well before the festival itself. In the weeks leading up to it, my family and I prepare together — by cleaning and decorating our home, making cookies, murukku, and other festive treats that fill our home with warmth and anticipation.

On the morning of Deepavali, we start the day with prayers at home and prepare an elaborate festive meal for our guests.

My mother is one of the eldest among her siblings, and since my grandfather used to live with us, our home has always been the gathering place for the family. Even after his passing, this tradition continues — all my mother’s siblings still come over on Deepavali.

It’s a beautiful reminder of how family ties and traditions keep our loved ones close, across time and generations.

My favourite part of the celebration is the preparation that brings everyone together. In the weeks leading up to Deepavali, I love making murukku and festive cookies with my mother, sister, and aunties — the kitchen is always filled with laughter, conversation, and the aroma of freshly made treats.

Each of us is designated a specific role in the process. My job is usually to make the murukku using the mould — not an easy task, as I would often end up with sore palms and arms from squeezing the dough!

I also help fill crushed peanuts into the makmur and pineapple jam into the kueh tart, carefully adding the intricate designs that make each piece look as special as it tastes.

One of my fondest childhood memories is gathering around a charcoal stove in our kitchen to make tons of murukku. I also enjoy helping my mother prepare elaborate Deepavali meals from scratch, especially the biryani and rich mutton and chicken curries.

These moments of cooking together are what make the festival truly special for me — they’re filled with warmth, tradition, and shared memories.

One common misconception is that Deepavali marks the Indian New Year. Unlike the Lunar New Year, which signals the start of a new year for the Chinese community, Deepavali is not the start of the year for the Indian community.

In fact, the majority of the Indian sub-ethnic communities celebrate their new year between April 13 and 15, according to their traditional calendars.