Sugar Land couple explains how local families celebrate Diwali

Learn about the Festival of Lights

HOUSTON – Rashmi and Ankur Trivedi are celebrating Diwali in a special way this year.

The couple and their two boys, Brahm, 4 years old, and Anand, 3 years old, are excited to go back to normal festivities post-pandemic.

Rashmi and Ankur Trivedi with their kids (Rashmi and Ankur Trivedi)

The Trivedi’s, who are are practicing Hindus of the BAPS Swaminarayan faith, shared with Houston Life their family traditions for the popular festival of lights and explained how the community participates in Diwali at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Stafford.

“Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs but other religions celebrate and respect the holiday,” said Ankur Trivedi, a pharmacist, and entrepreneur.

“Tomorrow on New Year’s Day, which is truly the climax of the festivities, people gather at the Mandir to pray to the sacred images and view the Grand Annakut which is a display of over 1000 vegetarian items that are offered to the sacred images on this day as a gesture of gratitude and to seek blessings for the year ahead,” said Rashmi Trivedi.

Grand Annakut at BAPS (BAPS)

To see their complete interview, watch the video above.

For more information about the Diwali events at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, click here.


About the Author:

Beatriz is a producer for Houston life. She’s a dog mom who enjoys traveling and eating her way through new cities and cultures.