Diwali is the festival of light. It is the darkest and deepest night of the year. It is on this night that India glitters. All Indian festivals are historically in line with seasonal agricultural activities. By this time of the year, Indian farmers would have sold their last season’s agricultural produce in the market. And during Diwali, they relax, enjoy & celebrate the successful farming season with their family, friends & loved ones, so that they are all charged up & energised to work hard for the next farming season.
Most of us living in the urban areas may not be farmers anymore, but there is no reason why we can’t keep our cord intact with Mother Nature. When we get together on the eve of Diwali, apart from regular celebrations, there are so many fun activities we can do that will take us back to our roots; activities which will remind us that, ‘There is a web of life & we are part of it.' You can even swap plastic décor for these eco-friendly Diwali decoration ideas with plants.
Read on how to prepare your garden for Diwali
Sow a seed: For children as well as for adults, there is no better occasion to sow your first seed. Grab a pack of flower seeds/vegetable seeds, & let everyone grow them in pots full of mud. A seed germinating into a plant is a miracle that every fellow human being deserves to witness.
Plant a sapling: It’s a different joy when you do plant your favorite flower with your hands. Let your Child's' hands get all muddy in the goodness of soil, as it gives them the sense of connecting with nature, which will stay forever. Hardy herbs like Tulsi and Aloe Vera make easy first plants, and many families grow these Ayurvedic plants for Diwali.
Plant Winter flowers this season or you can also Grow these Diwali flowers at home
Gift a plant: Surprise your loved ones by gifting them a beautiful potted houseplant. This unique gift will joyfully transform their life with a sense of responsibility towards this living entity and is an sustainable Diwali celebrations.
Explore the wilderness: On Diwali morning, go out for a nature walk into the otherwise ignored pathways of your local green zones & forests. What are the trees found in our city? What are our common backyard birds? How many different species of butterflies & insects surround us? We must educate ourselves by getting introduced to our local species of plants, birds, reptiles, insects & overall biodiversity. This will give us insight into this magical world & a strong reason to protect it.
Types of insect pests in your garden
Read a book: In this era of the internet & information explosion, books remain the primary & authentic source of our knowledge. There are so many wonderful gardening/nature related books that will enlighten you about the subject & will give you the right perspective. Along with Diwali special magazines, do start reading these precious informative books as well.
As our values evolve, our customs & traditions evolve; the way we celebrate Diwali should also evolve. Happy Diwali! Happy Gardening!
Read More:
- Air-Purifying Plants for Diwali: Thoughtful and Sustainable Gifts
- Let your garden be ready for Diwali
FAQs
1. How can I celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali?
Use clay diyas instead of plastic or electric decorations, make rangoli with flowers or natural colours, and skip or reduce firecrackers. Choose plants or reusable items as gifts and wrap them in cloth or paper instead of plastic. Family activities like sowing seeds, planting a sapling or a nature walk also make the festival greener.
2. What are some eco-friendly Diwali gift ideas?
Potted plants are among the most popular green gifts because they keep growing long after the festival. Other options include seed kits, herb plants like tulsi, planters made from ceramic or terracotta, handmade clay diyas and homemade sweets in reusable boxes. Ugaoo offers indoor plants, gift plants and planters that work well for eco-friendly gifting.
3. Which plants are good to gift on Diwali?
Popular Diwali gift plants in India include money plant, lucky bamboo, jade plant, snake plant, peace lily and Brazilian lucky wood. These are associated with good luck in popular belief and are easy to care for indoors. Tulsi is a meaningful choice for families who keep it for daily puja. Pick low-maintenance plants for first-time growers.
4. How do I make eco-friendly Diwali decorations at home?
Hang a toran of mango leaves and marigolds, light clay diyas, and make rangoli using flower petals, rice flour or turmeric. Group potted plants in decorative planters near the entrance and puja area. Floating flowers and diyas in a bowl of water look festive too, and all of these can be composted or reused after Diwali.
5. What can I do with leftover flowers and leaves after Diwali?
Instead of throwing them away, add marigold petals, mango leaves and other floral waste to a compost bin or pit, where they break down into organic manure for your garden. Remove threads, plastic and foil before composting. Dried marigold heads can also be crumbled to collect seeds for sowing in your own pots.
