Indian Diwali celebrations light up in Tehran
The Indian Embassy in Tehran, at the residence of Indian Ambassador to Tehran, Rudra Gaurav Shresth, hosted a festive celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, on Friday evening.
The event drew in a large crowd of Iranian guests and diplomats from various countries, who gathered to experience the rich traditions of India.
The annual festival tends to fall between October and November, but the exact date varies each year as the Hindu calendar is based on the Moon.
Tea festival
As part of the festivities, a tea festival was also organized, showcasing the diverse and high-quality teas of India. The event aimed to introduce Iranian tea enthusiasts to the world-renowned Indian tea varieties, with a focus on the country’s reputation as the second-largest tea exporter globally.
The event was a huge success, with visitors enjoying the various flavors of Indian tea, including Darjeeling, Masala, and Nilgiri.
In Hindu mythology, tea is believed to have originated from the story of Daruma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, who would meditate and eventually pluck out his eyelids to stay awake. The tea plant is said to have grown from the spot where his eyelids were discarded, bearing magical properties that could dispel fatigue.
India is renowned for its diverse tea varieties, with three main flavors – Darjeeling, Assam, and Nilgiri – having gained international recognition. The embassy’s efforts to promote these teas in Iran are part of a broader initiative to strengthen cultural ties between the two nations.
In addition, the Mandala Artists Association in Iran, founded by Maryam Houri, showcased its artistic creations, which were also on display at the festival. Mandala, a Sanskrit word meaning “circle,” represents the universe and is often used in meditation and art therapy.
Houri emphasized the historical artistic exchange between Iran and India, highlighting the mutual influence of both cultures.
“We established the association in 2019, and we’re thrilled to see its growth and the interest it has generated across the country,” Houri said. “We’re grateful for the embassy’s support and hope to see further collaboration and cooperation in the future.”
Nazanin Mohammadi, a member of the association, whose artwork was well-received by the guests, explained the principles of Mandala art. “Mandala is about respecting the earth and the universe, using natural colors and shapes to create harmony and balance. It’s a form of meditation that has also found its way into medical science.”
The festival featured works by various Iranian artists, including Maryam Houri, Pouneh Moghimi, Raha Khoshons, Nazanin Mohammadi, Atena Rezaei, Shima Saei, Mina Shahroudi, and Maryam Behbahani.