1. Give To Society
We are so self-engrossed in ourselves throughout the year that we do not notice others having difficulties, too. This Diwali, make an effort to give to the people less privileged than you, be it books, clothes, or your time. Few hours could be taken out to spend some time with orphans and elderly. Cut down 50% of your budget that you kept for crackers and use it to gift something to the poor who can’t afford it otherwise. The things that seem trivial to you might be luxury for them.
Likewise, donate your old clothes to an orphanage or an old age home. Winter is coming! They rarely have the required clothes. Pick out the woollens which will help them through the upcoming winter. Give away your books to the local library or NGO. Share your smile and spread joy during the Festival of Lights.
2. Save electricity For a Green Diwali
To reduce the electric load, turn the lights off and light up candles and diyas. Make sure to purchase the diyas from the local hawkers, this is a seasonal sale and it would help them immensely. To make it even more so greener, you can use eco-friendly diyas made from traditional mixture ‘panchgavya’ and natural binding mixture of cow butter, neem, peepal and lemon tree leaves. Panchgavya or panchakavyam is prepared by mixing five items procured from cows. While cow is the direct source of three of these products – cow dung, urine, and milk; the other two are dairy products, curd and ghee. The mixture is then put under pressure and heated to 100 degrees.
But if these diyas are not available where you live, you can opt for the beautiful earthen diyas and line up your balcony with them with your family and friends. You can also use scented candles that would add the sweet festive aroma inside your house.
Likewise, you can save electricity by not using the doorbell for a few days. Hang a real bell at the entrance gate, adding to the festive ambiance. It would be cherry on the cake.
3. Use Natural Colours For Rangoli
In earlier days, rangolis were made to feed the birds. Let’s go back to our roots this Diwali. Instead of using artificial colours, you can use spices and other food items. If you’re wondering whether that would give the rangoli your desired colors, then here you go. For white, you can use rice powder, for yellow, use Pulses or turmeric, use cloves or cinnamon for Brown and cardamom or fennel for green. Dried chilly would be perfect for red. Rangoli made with fresh flowers looks stunning as well, and their fragrance will set the festive mood.
4. Care for Animals
DO NOT DELIBERATELY DISTURB ANIMALS WITH CRACKERS. The noise and the fumes are traumatizing for animals. If there are strays in your vicinity, give shelter to them. Keep your pets in a safe place, as well. They find it difficult to cope with the noise. Be Sensitive.
5. Burn the Inner Evils
Do not burn a hole in your pocket by buying crackers. Instead.. burn the evils inside you. The society has numerous evils. Start by pleading a no-dowry marriage.
Do you remember the last time you had a good long chat with your parents? If you don’t, go have one. Worship your parents before worshiping the deities. It would give you a satisfaction that you would yearn for later on in life.
6. Reduce burning crackers AT LEAST by 50%.
Remember the day after Diwali last year, when the air was so polluted with carcinogenic fumes that we couldn’t breathe? It’s that time of the year again. But let’s not repeat the same mistake. We’re not just harming the environment but ourselves, too. The air quality gets toxic because of the fumes. And the noise is absolutely traumatising for animals. Too many harmful effects of just one evening to continue the practice.
If you do not want to completely stop burning the crackers, reduce the amount by at least 50% and it would make a drastic change.
Instead of burning crackers, all the children of the community can go for a nature walk and collect dry leaves, grass, twigs etc. And the festival of lights can be celebrated by lighting a bonfire.
7. My garbage, My responsibility
Crackers create A LOT of garbage the day after. Just like maintaining cleanliness in the house during Diwali is considered auspicious, take the initiative to clear trash from your neighborhood after the celebrations. Do not wait for the municipal workers to collect and dispose the garbage.
8. Homemade sweets
Nowadays, innumerable sweets are available in the market. But most of them have artificial colors and refined sugar. The oils used in them are not healthy not clean. So, make your own sweets this Diwali. Use Desi Ghee (clarified butter), milk, besan (chickpea flour), jaggery and honey instead of sugar. Some of the recipes are here.
9. Bring home Maa Lakshmi
This Green Diwali, bring home a real Goddess Lakshmi by adopting a girl child. A child will get a home and your home will be filled with laughter and joy.
10. Travel Green
The spike in pollution level post Diwali is attributed to emissions from air, as well. The traffic around this time is uncontrollable as everyone is out to visit their loved ones. Before you take your car out, think of Mother Earth. Cycle, walk, pool or take the metro.
With these simple tips, 10 tips wishes everyone a Happy Diwali! This year, let’s try and make Green Diwali more meaningful and delightful.
2 thoughts on “10 Best Ways to Celebrate Eco Friendly, Green Diwali I 10 Tips”