Diwali, also referred to as Deepavali, is a very important festival for Hindus that is celebrated annually across the world. Prior to Diwali, friends and co-workers exchange gifts of dry fruits, sweets, and precious metals.
The younger generation look forward to spending time with their cousins, extended family and enjoying the excitement of the festival.
Families will dress in new clothes, decorate their homes with lights, cook/bake large quantities of food, and perform the puja service on Diwali day.
In some cases, families will host gatherings to celebrate Diwali with their friends and neighbours through games, dancing and socializing.
With these Diwali date ideas for Couples you and your partner can have a romantic celebration filled with fun and create unforgettable memories.
About the Diwali Festival
Often referred to as “the festival of lights,” Diwali is the start of a new year and the victory of light over darkness, and good over evil.
A festival in honour of King Rama’s return to his empire of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile, Diwali is based on the Hindu epic, the Ramayana.
Other stories link Diwali to the birth of the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, the triumph of good over evil represented by the goddess Kali, and the victory of Lord Krishna over Narakasura, a demon.
Despite these various historical interpretations, Diwali means the same thing: a time to spend time together and have fun.
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Diwali is celebrated across the world by Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, and Hindus. In modern times, Diwali has become a time to strengthen bonds with family, friends, and community.
Creative Diwali Date ideas for Couples
1. Hire a henna artist to create henna menhdi tattoos
Henna plays a big role in many traditional Indian celebrations, and Diwali brings an added chance to appreciate these beautiful, intricate designs (but weddings are traditionally the bigger event). For special occasions like a Diwali celebration, you can also hire henna artists.
When couples come together, mehndi can provide a fun and romantic embellishment to your Diwali festivities.
You may choose to have matching or complementary designs, such as similar floral motifs, initials of each other’s names, or symbols of light and love.
Just think about having your partner’s initial in a lovely way into your design: intimate and festive at the same time.
It’s also a fun way to personalize your beating and take a part of your partner with you during the holiday, as henna stains last for days.
2. Go Temple-Hopping or Attend a Puja Together
For couples who find spirituality important, attending a Diwali puja with someone special is a great option for grounding and bonding.
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Attending a temple and offering prayers or participating as a couple in the cultural celebration provides couples with an opportunity to reflect on what it means to celebrate Diwali and to engage in the celebration more deeply together.
You can also make this into a longer date by checking out various temples around your city that will be beautifully lit up.
Walking through a courtyard with a loved one holding hands while beautiful lights shine all around you, or silently reflecting together, can also be surprisingly romantic!
3. Exchange Thoughtful Gifts
Diwali is also a time for giving gifts, and this tradition can be all the more special between couples. Gifts don’t have to be flashy, expensive items.
There are many options for gifts that are thoughtful, and will be meaningful to your partner.
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A hand-written letter, or a framed photo from your favorite memory together, or simply a jar of notes about all the little reasons you love your partner, can be more valuable than any store bought gift.
You could exchange symbolic gifts as well, such as candles, to symbolize the light each of you bring to each other’s lives.
Whatever gifts you choose, be sincere, and make the purpose behind the gifts heart-felt, rather than custom.
When done genuinely and thoughtfully, this simple little tradition could become one of your best Diwali traditions/memories as a couple.
4. Make Rangoli Together
Making rangoli is a fun, colorful, Diwali experience that is even better to enjoy while spending time together.
Choose an area of your home to make it in, it could be in the front-exterior entry way, or your courtyard, or the living room.
Gather colored powders (or flower petals) and make an easy or simple design, together.
It does not have to be perfect–the activity is more fun when the activity is done at the same time, together.
Rangoli represents abundance and positivity, and when you do it together, it symbolizes peace in your relationship.
Besides, you will probably end up giggling at the mess, competing with one another in a light-hearted way, and enjoying the creativity that emerges.
5. Organize a fireworks display
Diwali is about lightness and vivacity, and fireworks are a natural fit for a festive atmosphere.
The story of Diwali is written in the sky with brilliant fireworks that penetrate the dark and light up the sky, even if for only a brief moment.
Therefore, purchase some fireworks, or hire someone to do it for you. They can likely recommend a number of fireworks that will make the Diwali celebration memorable to everybody since they have experience planning a fireworks show.
6. Work together to create some rangolis
Another traditional aspect of Diwali is the creation of Rangolis. This involves creating decorative designs with flowers and powders.
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It doesn’t matter how complex or simple you want your rangoli to be; as long as you have your own unique rangoli design, you can consider it a good sign for the year of celebrations ahead for Diwali.
One way to turn rangoli into an activity is to create craft stations with flowers, petals, colored rice, and powders.
Have each person work to complete a rangoli in a specified amount of time. Then have contestants judge the final designs for size and beauty.
7. Candlelight Dinner with a Traditional Twist
Candlelight dinners can be wonderful in general, but adding the cultural element makes it extra special for Diwali. Start with softer golden light to set the scene.
You can easily swap out conventional candles for diyas (oil lamps) for an additional touch of Diwali.
Serve a thoughtfully planned Diwali lunch utilizing a traditional Indian-style table setup, and brass or copper dishes.
As an addition to the special indulgence, you can opt for home-cooked items such as paneer butter masala, biryani or kheer.
To elevate this experience even more, consider adding his favourite dishes to the menu? You can both participate in cooking together to make the occasion more engaging.
The act of cooking together builds your human connection and makes cooking a delightful activity.
To enhance the traditional aspect of the experience, play some light, melodic music in the background, which might be fancier, or instrumental music, or other forms of classical Indian music.
8. Engage in Holiday Celebrations Together
Participating in traditions and celebrations is a wonderful way to experience togetherness, and especially at Diwali, it is a fun-filled experience.
Through shared customs and activities, you will grow closer to each other and create impactful memories.
To begin the day, partake in the customary Diwali rituals to start, like cleaning the house and decorating it with rangoli, diyas, and torans (door hangings).
It can be exciting and enjoyable to work together and create a sense of unity.
Additionally, more of the Diwali traditions like exchanging gifts and sweets. Show your partner how much you appreciate him by doing some gift giving with a small gift as a surprise.
The gift does not need to be expensive, it may be anything small like a sentimental piece of jewellery or a written note.
Participate in a Diwali puja or prayer ceremony together. Praying together during Diwali will strengthen your emotional connection and foster spiritual renewal and growth.
Sharing this spiritual experience, in your home while celebrating Lakshmi Puja, or at temple ceremonies, brings you closer.
You may also want to attend local Diwali festivals or markets. You can watch cultural performances, shop for arts and crafts, or buy mithai (sweets), all of which provide authentic experiences associated with Diwali.
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9. A Family Celebration at Home
For couples who are family-oriented, celebrating Diwali with family members makes your romantic evening more special.
We suggest after you enjoy some private time, invite family members or your nearest friends to your home to celebrate privately.
Inviting your partner to join your family during Diwali, which is by its nature a time of community and coming together, can show him how much you appreciate him being part of your family.
Get ready by hosting a family-style traditional Diwali dinner. You can either order food from your favorite restaurant or prepare a variety of foods together that signify celebration.
In order to maintain the celebratory spirit, consider putting up the table nicely with Diwali decorations, flowers, and diyas.
To help reinforce the feeling of community of the family and all others attending, update each other of your Diwali celebrations growing up.
If you want to add a little fun and humor to the family get together, play some simple games like Charades or cards.
As an additional idea to help commemorate Diwali with your partner, you may also create some ceremonial surprise where you and your partner light the first diya together to signify your future success together.
That simple gesture could be a beautiful & meaningful reminder of your relationship as well as one that has significance in traditional Indian homes.
10. Make a vegetarian meal
It’s common for Diwali buffets to be meatless or even completely vegan. In many Hindu cultures, vegetarian food is recognized as the most sacred. So think of meatless main courses.
When it comes to meatless cuisine, Indian food is one of the most famous culinary traditions.
Your choices could hardly be easier for going vegetarian at a Diwali gathering with yogurt based sauces and rich curries made with spinach and potatoes.
Final Words
Diwali is about joy, light, and coming together which is a great occasion for couples to connect and take the opportunity to create some new memories together.
Whether you want to stay in for a quite evening or go out for something more thrilling, the goal is to create a connection that makes the occasion meaningful for both of you.