Tell us how you celebrate Deepavali and we’ll tell you which festive must-have you are!

Just describe your average, pre-pandemic Deepavali celebration and discover which Deepavali fixture you are deep down!

(This quiz is extremely unscientific and is for your entertainment only. Go be entertained!)

A tray of lit oil lamps, resting on flower petals — Photo by Udayaditya Barua on Unsplash

When do you usually start shopping for Deepavali?

Two South Asian girls in colourful saris laughing together — Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

The day after the previous Deepavali! You can never be too prepared :)

1-2 months in advance, to avoid the rush

A couple weeks before, when the deals come out

Juuuust before Deepavali, so my clothes will fit juuuust right!

How do you pick your new outfits?

A South Asian man smiles confidently with arms folded over his chest. He's wearing a red kurta heavily embroidered in gold. — Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

Whatever’s the best value for money!

Whatever will let me be matchy-matchy with the family

Whatever’s most comfortable to move around in

Whatever my favourite star wore in this year's biggest blockbuster movie

On Deepavali morning, what time do you get up?

A woman's hand lights some cute pastel oil lamps on a metal tray. — Photo by Prashant Gupta on Unsplash

Before everyone else, so I can help with the last preparations

Early...ish…?

I’m not the first one awake, but I’ll help wake everyone else up

ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzz...*snort* Wait, what? (sorry amma and appa)

Do you enjoy the traditional oil bath?

A cropped image of a bottle of Lingam Gingelly Oil. — Image via Mydin on Shopee

I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

I enjoy it once a year :)

Not really, but I do it for tradition’s sake

Least favourite part of the day :(

What’s on the table for breakfast?

An assortment of rotis, rice and various chutneys/dishes/sweets — Photo by Dipesh Gurav on Unsplash

Thosai, idli, biryani, chicken varuval, mutton curry, at least 3 different kinds of chutney...

Something simple like appam or Festive kuih (since it’s already there)

My usual everyday breakfast

No breakfast for me. Must save space to whack the mutton curry at lunch!

How many visitors do you like having every year?

A person in a light blue kurta serves themselves with rice, chutney and yogurt at a richly covered table — Photo by Yan Krukov from Pexels

ALL of them. I love doing an open house.

Quite a lot! I have friends and extended family to catch up with.

Enough that I can count with two hands.

None, please. I just want to spend time with whoever’s at home.

Do you prefer celebrating with friends or family?

Two young women and an old woman, all in saris, stand together. The youngest-looking one looks at the other two, who are laughing together. — Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

Deepavali is for family first!

Both of them TOGETHER, because that’s more fun

Definitely my friends

Depends who I feel like seeing that year

Finally, what time do you finally wrap up and go to bed?

A group of South Indians in colourful clothing play with sparklers at night — Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

I don’t sleep until the sun comes up WOOHOOOOOO

A little later than usual, because there’s so much going on

Same time I always go to sleep. It’s healthier.

The moment all those guests go home. I’m exhausted!

You're the lamp/diya!

Oh wow, look at you glow! Your steady, warm aura means everyone loves to gather round you. And despite all that, you never let it go to your head. Keep shining.

A single lit oil lamp made of clay, with a dark background — Photo by Sonika Agarwal on Unsplash

You're the curry!

Everyone knows you’re the one to ask about the latest super-spicy gossip. You have an information network every Indian auntie would be jealous of, you love people, and you love getting information on people. Please use your superpowers for good.

Close up of curry with coriander garnish — Photo by Prachi Palwe on Unsplash

You're the oil bath!

You’re quiet, love tradition, and go with the flow. When things are sad, you’re there to offer a big hug, some firm advice or an invigorating cup of tea (probably all three, if you had your way). You’re also probably that one friend who’s scary good at yoga.

Light yellow oil being poured — Image by Jon Wicks from Pixabay

You're the kolam/rangoli!

Ah, the good art friend. You’re colourful and artistic, and while the haters may call you ‘fussy’, you prefer ‘detail-oriented’. You work hard, play hard, and add colour to everyone’s life.

A white, red, blue and pink rangoli with a small lamp in the muddle of the design. — Photo by Siraj Alam on Unsplash

You're the murukku!

Make it fashion, baby! You’re never seen in the same outfit twice and love experimenting with your style. You don’t play favourites - everything is fair play when it comes to a gorg new look.

A pile of lightly fried, smooth and coiled murukku — Image by Thamizhpparithi Maari on Wikipedia

You're the ice!

Sometimes it might seem that people look through you, but you’re that cool, reliable person everyone misses when they’re not around. Everyone knows they can look forward to a nice chill hangout and good times ahead when you're there. Be careful not to melt under pressure, though.