For many South Asian communities, the Diwali holiday extends to almost a month-long celebration.
In the South Bay region, 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 who now works at Walmart Business, was among many who enjoyed the festivities. She described the experience as deeply heartwarming because it allowed her to celebrate her heritage far from home.
“I want to continue it because I want my children to grow up with that tradition too. We can’t do 100 percent of what we do in India,” Maheswari said.
But they made it as familiar as possible. According to the US Census, approximately 1.5 million South Asians live in the broader Bay Area region, and events like these help preserve cultural practices while building bridges between communities. The celebration included authentic live music, traditional dancing and a wide range of activities that highlighted the rich diversity of South Asian cultures.
Maheswari expressed her joy in sharing her cultural practices with others, something she said is rare outside India.
“It’s wonderful to show them what we do at home. Because we can’t really bring it all from India,” she said. “For example, the flowers I wear are real jasmine flowers. You rarely find them here.”
In addition to the music and dancing, the celebration included henna stations and photo opportunities, creating a fun and festive atmosphere for all attendees.
Festival participant Aneesh Krishna also appreciated the event’s recognition of India’s diverse cultural landscape.
“Every state has its own language, culture and tradition. So as we celebrate Diwali, we always learn from our friends. We are always happy to share fun and happiness together,” Krishna said.
A highlight of the celebration was the grand finale Bollywood dance performances, which gave attendees the opportunity to let loose and enjoy the festive atmosphere together.
Ultimately, Maheswari emphasized the importance of togetherness during Diwali.
“We actually celebrate it together as a family. So it’s always about togetherness and having fun,” she said.
For all participants, 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.
