Where and How to Celebrate Diwali in Beijing, Oct 29-30

This year, Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, falls on October 30, and in the truest meaning of a celebration, signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.

On the third night of the festival, adherents place lights outside their houses before sunset to show reverence to Lakshmi Puja, the goddess of wealth and Vishnu's wife. The ceremony also includes offerings of betel leaves, betel nuts, incense sticks, camphor, flowers, garlands, prasad, sweets, and fruits.

If you're looking for places to celebrate, fear not, as Beijing has no shortage of Indian restaurants marking the occasion.

Punjabi will be celebrating the holiday on October 29 with an aforementioned Puja ceremony, and a feast that will include dal ki kachori, moong dal halwa, shahi paneer, dal bukhara, chaats, an eight-hour slow-cooked lamb vindaloo, mixed tandoori kebabs, special tandoori breads, and more. There will also be dancing, music, and drinks specials. Get your tickets by scanning the QR code (RMB 108) or at the door (RMB 128). The party runs from 6pm onwards.

You can also celebrate at Ganges Indian Restaurant with either a tailormade party (if you have a group of 30 or more), or just head down to their Sanlitun or Haidian locations for a Diwali buffet with over 20 specialty items including: mithai, samosas, chicken tikka, meat curries, vegetable curries, chaat, biryani, and more. This buffet will set you back RMB 100 per person, and is available on Sunday (Oct 30), from 7.30pm to 9pm.

The Taj Pavilion will be operating as normal during Diwali, except with the addition of special Diwali sweets on October 30, known as mathri, a North Indian-style crispy cracker only made for special celebrations. We actually went to The Taj Pavilion recently and really enjoyed our meal (see the crispy samosas pictured above), so it comes with our recommendation it if you're looking for somewhere to order a la carte this Diwali.

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Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
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Images courtesy of the organizers, internationalfireworks.co.uk, Margaux Schreurs