Can you celebrate Diwali if you’re not religious? These Indian Australians do it to feel closer to their culture

"You're not Hindu or Sikh, so why would you celebrate Diwali?"

An Indian woman in one of my university classes once asked me this.

Ironic that it was an anthropology and religion class — covering the way religions have adapted and changed over time.

This month, millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Newar Buddhists across the globe will celebrate Diwali — the Festival of Lights.

But thinking back to that interaction at my university, I found myself wondering: what about those who aren’t religious?

What is Diwali?

Diwali, also known as