12, Shanti Apartments,

M. G. Road,

Borivali East,

Mumbai – 400066.

12th November 2025

Dear Emma,

Thanks for your letter asking about Indian festivals! Let me tell you about Diwali, which is the biggest Hindu festival. It’s also celebrated as the Hindu New Year and is known as the Festival of Lights.

Diwali lasts for five days. During this time, we light small oil lamps called diyas and place them around our houses. We also decorate our homes with colourful rangoli designs and fairy lights. Everyone bursts firecrackers (though we’re trying to reduce this because of pollution). We make and share lots of sweets with neighbours and relatives.

During Diwali, people buy new clothes and clean their entire house. It’s believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits clean homes. We exchange gifts and greeting cards. Families visit each other’s homes and there are special prayers in the evening. Schools give us about ten days of holidays, so kids absolutely love this festival! Markets are crowded, there are special Diwali sales and the whole atmosphere is festive and exciting.

I’d love to hear about some festivals you celebrate in the US that we don’t know much about here in India. Give my regards to your family.

Your friend,

XYZ