Diwali celebration in South Bay brings together community
For many South Asian communities, the Diwali holiday extends into a nearly month-long celebration.
In the South Bay area, the Hindu Festival of Lights recently brought together Walmart Global Tech employees and their neighbors in a vibrant display of cultural traditions.
Uma Maheswari, a migrant from India now working with Walmart Business, was among the many enjoying the festivities. She described the experience as deeply heartwarming, as it allowed her to celebrate her heritage far from home.
"I want to continue doing it, because I want my kids also to grow up with that tradition. We cannot do 100 percent how we do back in India," said Maheswari.
But they made it as familiar as possible. According to the U.S. Census, approximately 1.5 million South Asians live in the broader Bay Area region, and events like this one help preserve cultural practices while building bridges across communities. The celebration included authentic live music, traditional dances, and a wide array of activities that highlighted the rich diversity of South Asian cultures.
Maheswari expressed joy in sharing her cultural customs with others, something that she says can be rare to experience outside of India.
"It's beautiful to show them what we do back home. Because all of it, we can't really bring it back from India," she said. "For example, the flowers I'm wearing are real jasmine flowers. It's very rare to find them here."
In addition to the music and dancing, the celebration featured henna stations and photo opportunities, creating a fun and festive atmosphere for all who attended.
Festival participant Aneesh Krishna also appreciated the event's recognition of India's diverse cultural landscape.
"Every state has their own language, culture, and tradition. So here, as we are celebrating Diwali, we are always learning from our friends. Always happy to share fun and happiness together," Krishna said.
A highlight of the celebration was a grand finale Bollywood dance performances, which provided an opportunity for attendees to let loose and enjoy the festive spirit together.
Ultimately, Maheswari emphasized the importance of togetherness during Diwali.
"We are actually celebrating it as a family together. So, it's always about togetherness and having fun," she said.
For all who took part, the Diwali celebration was a joyful, colorful reminder of the power of cultural exchange and community unity, even for the Indian diaspora in the Bay Area.
