Happy Diwali

Diwali – The Festival of Lights

For those who are not from India, Diwali (or Deepavali) is one of India’s most beloved festivals — a celebration that brings together light, renewal, and hope. The word Deepavali means “a row of lamps.” Across India and beyond, families light small clay lamps, called diyas, and place them in their homes, doorways, and streets. The glow of these lamps symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, and good over evil.

The stories behind Diwali vary from region to region. In northern India, it marks the homecoming of Lord Rama after fourteen years of exile, when the people of Ayodhya lit lamps to welcome him. In western India, it celebrates the goddess Lakshmi, who brings prosperity and well-being. In the south, it commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over the tyrant Narakasura. Beyond these tales, Diwali carries a universal message — that every human heart holds a lamp, and it is meant to shine.

Diwali also marks a new beginning. Many people clean and decorate their homes, exchange sweets, and offer prayers for abundance and harmony. It coincides with the end of the harvest season, making it both a spiritual and seasonal renewal.

At its heart, Diwali is about kindling inner light — compassion, wisdom, and clarity — and sharing it with others. The festival reminds us that even a small flame can dispel great darkness.

Seasonal and Scientific Dimensions of Diwali

Diwali usually falls between mid-October and mid-November — the time when days begin to shorten, the air cools, and winter approaches in the Indian subcontinent. In traditional calendars, this period leads toward the winter solstice, when the sun appears at its southernmost point before turning northward again. It is nature’s reminder of a cosmic rhythm — darkness deepens before the return of light.

Lighting lamps at this time of year is therefore more than symbolic. In earlier centuries, the oil lamps helped purify and brighten homes during long evenings when sunlight was scarce. The gentle warmth and faint fragrance of sesame or mustard oil also had practical effects — reducing dampness, repelling insects, and improving air quality.

From a scientific perspective, the human body and mind are responsive to light. Exposure to warm light in darker months can lift mood, regulate sleep, and promote a sense of wellbeing — something ancient cultures understood intuitively. Thus, the lighting of diyas served not only a ritual purpose but also a biological and psychological one: keeping the community healthy, joyful, and attuned to the cycles of the earth and sun.

In this way, Diwali is both a festival of the spirit and a festival of nature — a luminous bridge between the outer and the inner worlds.

Sixth day of Sukkot

Fifth day of Sukkot

Third day of Sukkot

Third day of the Sukkot

Best time to take our guided Mattancherry Jew Town Heritage Walk. 

Sukkot Week

Yom Kippur

Rosh Hoshanna

📜 Shana Tova U’Metuka – A Sweet and Good Year!

Rosh Hoshanna!

May your name be inscribed for blessing and Grace. 

Happy New Year. 

 Nehemiah Mootha Mattancherry Jewish Heritage Tour 

Passover Reflections: Freedom, Faith, and the Stories We Carry

As the sun sets and we gather around our Seder tables, may this Pesach bring you liberation from all burdens, a return to what is essential and true, and a deeper connection with your story, your people, and your purpose.

Passover is not only a festival of remembrance—it’s a sacred invitation to storytelling. Almost like a commandment, we are urged to recount the tales of our ancestors, to pass them down with reverence and wonder. Among these stories, none shines brighter than that of Moses.

In 1956, Cecil B. DeMille gifted the world The Ten Commandments, with Charlton Heston’s unforgettable portrayal of Moses—a prince of Egypt who became the shepherd of his people’s freedom. Decades later, director Ridley Scott and actor Christian Bale reimagined the Exodus in their own cinematic language, reminding a new generation of the drama and majesty of this ancient journey.

The story of Moses, once a royal in Pharaoh's court, is one of divine calling, courage, and humility. The Bible speaks of him as "the humblest of all men," the one to whom God spoke face to face. Through plagues and partings, wilderness and wonder, Moses led with a quiet fire—a guide not only for his people but for all who seek freedom, justice, and truth.

Later, when the Prophet Samuel anointed King David, he invoked the legacy of those who came before: "the courage of Moses and the strength of Samson..." A lineage of strength rooted not in might alone, but in faith and divine purpose.

This Pesach, may we all remember the power of storytelling, the weight of history, and the enduring light of freedom. 

Chag Pesach Sameach.

B Thomas

Colonial India Heritage Studies

Happy Purim

Chag Purim Sameach!

Today, as we celebrate Purim, we reflect on the powerful story of courage and faith from the Book of Esther. One of the most cherished traditions of this holiday is the public reading of the Megillat Esther (Esther scroll) in the synagogue. This sacred reading commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people from Haman’s plot and serves as a powerful reminder of community strength and resilience.

Traditionally, Esther scrolls are unadorned, handwritten on parchment, and sewn together with sinew. However, in 17th-century Amsterdam, a remarkable transformation took place. Advances in printing technology enabled the creation of illustrated Esther scrolls, adorned with architectural borders and intricate details. These beautifully crafted scrolls became prized ceremonial objects, especially among affluent Spanish and Portuguese Jewish communities.

To honor this rich tradition, visit The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt exhibition at the Jewish Museum, showcasing stunning Esther scrolls from the 17th century. Don’t miss the opportunity to see:

• Salom Italia’s Esther Scroll (1640s): Printed border with handwritten text on parchment (Joods Historisch Museum, Amsterdam).
  
• Raphael Montalto’s Esther Scroll (1686): Ink on parchment with silk backing and wooden and ivory roller (New York Public Library).
  
• Salom Italia’s Esther Scroll, Amsterdam (1640s): Printed border with handwritten text on parchment.
  

Exhibition Details:
🗓️ On view through August 10
📍 Jewish Museum, 5th Ave at 92nd St, NYC
🕰️ Friday – Monday: 11 AM – 6 PM, Thursday: 11 AM – 8 PM

May the joy and spirit of Purim fill your hearts and homes!