Celebrate Diwali in Seattle by cuddling baby cows
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Dancing into Diwali. Photo: Courtesy of Saddleburn Media
Baby cows, colorful dancing and a free vegetarian meal are coming to Seattle Center this weekend for Diwali, India's Festival of Lights.
Why it matters: The celebration offers a window into the traditions of the region's substantial Indian community, while inviting everyone to join the festivities.
- Celebrating Diwali in the heart of the city is more than a party, festival producer Latha Sambamurti of Northwest SHARE told Axios.
- It's about "the light of unity, the warmth of our traditions, the power of togetherness," she said.
Driving the news: The free, all-ages Diwali: Lights of India festival returns Saturday from noon to 6pm at the Seattle Center Armory.
- The celebration is part of Seattle Center Festál, a series of 25 free cultural festivals that collectively draw about 400,000 visits annually.
Zoom in: The day is built for wandering, watching and joining in.
🐮 New this year: Calves from Goloka Farm will be available for cuddling on the Armory balcony, where visitors can learn about the sacred role of cows in Indian culture.
💃🏽 Performances will showcase classical Indian dance, traditional percussion, violin and choral music.
🫓 Visitors can also watch roti-making demonstrations, admire a flower mandala, participate in art workshops and enjoy a free vegetarian meal.
The big picture: Diwali, which falls on Sunday this year, is a five-day celebration rooted in Hindu traditions and also observed by Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists.
- The holiday symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, with families traditionally lighting oil lamps called diyas, sharing sweets, exchanging gifts and gathering for meals.
The bottom line: Free food, colorful art and a baby cow to cuddle? Hard to beat.
- And if you can't make it, light a candle and join in from home. As Sambamurti put it, "Let a billion lights remind us that darkness never has the final word."