Books on Diwali that Shed Light on the Rituals, Traditionas and Tales of the Festival

We celebrate Diwali as the Festival of Lights but have we ever dwelled in the rich stories that decorate the essence of this festival? Books are a wonderful opportunity to introduce children and young readers to the rich traditions, stories, and values that define this decorated festival. Whether it's through tales of courage and victory from ancient epics or modern stories of family, friendship, and self-discovery, these books offer a vibrant way to engage with Diwali's themes for adults and kids alike. 

Raaga’s Song: A Diwali Story by Navina Chhabria

Raaga’s Song is a picture book about a girl named Raaga who dreamed of singing at the annual Diwali mela at the Royal Place. Ever since she was a little girl, her grandfather would tell her the story of how Lord Rama and his army slew the ten-headed demon Ravana (the story for which Diwali is celebrated today). While young Raaga has always suffered from stage fright, the more Raaga practices with her grandfather, the larger her audience grows, like her own little army. When the day of the audition comes, Raaga takes to the stage but the ten judges tower over her like Ravana and taunt her: "You are the colour of a moonless night," one says. "Can you really sing?" It will take all of Raaga's courage and the support of her "army" to summon the strength of Lord Rama and prove them wrong. 

My Diwali Light by Raakhee Mirchandani & Supriya Kelkar

My Diwali Light is a joyful story with vibrant collage illustrations. It follows Devi's Diwali traditions as her family celebrates their favourite holiday with the ones they love. Diwali is Devi’s favourite season and it’s a time to wear her favourite red bindi and eat samosas until she bursts, make mithai and design rangoli with her papa and paint diyas with her nani - a reminder to shine her light brightly all year long. 

The Light Within You by Namita Moolani Mehra, illustrations by Kamala M. Nai

Diya is thrilled to be travelling to India for the Festival of Lights. She hasn't seen her cherished granny since her family relocated from India, so this means she'll get to spend time with her. India is currently 7,850 miles distant. When she first gets to India, she goes to the bazaar shopping with her Nani. After getting all ready she celebrates the festival with her grandmother with all the joy. But her adventure will come to an end far too soon. Is there a way Diya can leave Diwali with a little bit of enchantment and light?

Diwali: Festival of Lights by Rina Singh

Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains commemorate legends and myths about the victory of justice over injustice and good over evil on Diwali. Renowned writer Rina Singh delves into her Indian heritage while narrating the Diwali legends, which serve as a gentle reminder that good will ultimately triumph over evil. The book has personal stories, holiday traditions, food and rituals and takes you on a journey to see how this festival is celebrated around the world. 

Sleepless in Dubai by Sajni Patel

In this hate-to-love teen rom-com, aspiring photographer Nikki accompanies her family on a trip to Dubai to celebrate the five days of Diwali in style. It should be the trip of a lifetime—if only Yash, the boy next door with whom Nikki shares a rocky history, weren’t on board. Oblivious to the tension, Nikki's matchmaking family encourages her to get to know Yash better. As it turns out, a lot can change on a 12-hour flight, beyond just the continents. But can past betrayals and conflicting ambitions be set aside long enough for the two teens to discover the true meaning of the Festival of Lights?

My Little Book of Lakshmi by Ashwitha Jayakumar, illustrated by Rachna Raghuram

This book by Ashwitha Jayakumar explains the rituals of Lakshmi Puja in simple words. Along with the story of Lakshmi Puja, its colourful illustrations will impress the little ones. It talks about tasty treats prepared on this auspicious day, how Goddess Lakshmi finds her way, why people pray to her, and why people light diyas? All questions are answered in a simple yet elaborative way to let people know the importance of Lakshmi Puja.

Prince of Fire: The Story of Diwali by Jatinder Nath Verma, illustrated by Nilesh Mistry

This is a chapter book by Jatinder Verma and Nilesh Mistry that retells the story of the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, and the epic Ramayana. This book is a faithful adaptation of the Ramayana and is written for children ages 6 to 9. The book follows Prince Ram, his wife Princess Sita, and his brother Prince Lakshmana as they try to restore peace and justice. Their plans are disrupted when Ravana kidnaps Sita. Ram and his friends must defeat the demon king of Lanka and return light to the world.