Why humans are wired for rituals
From ancient bonfires to birthday candles, humans have always been drawn to rituals. They give rhythm to life and connect us to something larger: a community, a belief, or a shared story.
Researchers suggest that rituals reduce anxiety, strengthen social bonds, and create predictability in uncertain times. They’re not superstition; they’re psychological glue that holds societies together.
When we light a lamp, gather for a holiday meal, or join hands in a dance circle, we’re not just performing actions; we’re reaffirming belonging. Rituals helped early humans coordinate with each other and align mentally, becoming the basis for community and symbolic thinking. When we participate in a ritual, we’re not just completing steps; we’re connecting to something larger than ourselves.
How rituals build and bind communities
Shared meaning & identity
Rituals give us stories, symbols, and shared moments that say: we’re in this together. Anthropologists note that rituals reinforce group identity. They help individuals feel part of a collective.
Connection through action
By doing something together, lighting, dancing, singing, we create communities of experience. Rituals create belonging and connection, especially in times of change or stress.
Continuity, transition & change
Rituals often mark transitions (births, deaths, new years). They give comfort and meaning when life shifts. And they also pass traditions forward, so culture continues.
How rituals evolve over time
Rituals aren’t meant to stay frozen. As environments, technologies, and societies change, so do the ways people express shared meaning.
Some examples:
- Christmas: Once a religious feast, now a global season of togetherness, lights, and giving, celebrated in homes, malls, and even online.
- Hanukkah: From private candle lighting to public menorah displays using LED technology, spreading light in new ways.
- Thanksgiving: Evolved from harvest gatherings to community volunteering and Friendsgiving dinners.
- Holi: Expanded from small village celebrations to global color festivals, keeping its message of joy and renewal alive.
- Yoga: Transformed from spiritual ritual to a modern practice of mindfulness and self-care.
Each example proves evolution doesn’t erase meaning; it ensures it stays alive for a changing world.
Why a Modern Diwali matters
In India, Diwali has deep-rooted traditions. Families light oil or LED diyas at dusk, burst firecrackers in the streets, visit temples, cook elaborate meals, and welcome loved ones into their homes. The air smells of sweets and incense, and the night sky glows with color.
But for the South Asian diaspora living across the world, things look different.
In cities like Minneapolis, London, or Toronto, Diwali often falls during cold autumn nights. Many venues don’t allow open flames or fireworks. People live far from extended families, balancing work, school, and urban schedules.
That’s why rituals must evolve, not to replace tradition, but to keep their essence alive in new environments.
A modern Diwali celebration can:
- Recreate the warmth of togetherness indoors through light, sound, and design.
- Reflect contemporary lifestyles while honoring ancient meaning.
- Invite people from all backgrounds to share in the spirit of “light over darkness.”
Neon Diyas is exactly that evolution, a reimagined Diwali that keeps the message intact while adapting to modern life.
Why we’re proud to launch the first-ever Neon Diwali
Minnesota’s first Neon Diwali dance party
For the first time in Minnesota (and perhaps anywhere), Diwali is being reimagined as a neon-lit, community-built celebration, merging art, light, and culture into one shared experience.
Tradition + Modern festival energy
Since open flames and fireworks aren’t practical indoors, we asked: What else can represent light today?
The answer: Neon.
Its vivid glow captures Diwali’s heart, joy, unity, and celebration, expressed through color and design.
Fireworks can evolve into a form of digital experience. We’re building a proof-of-concept for this experience.
Designed with the community
This event wasn’t created in isolation. Parents suggested earlier hours. Music lovers requested South Indian tracks. Volunteers helped simplify check-ins. Every idea came from the people who will experience it.
A ritual of belonging
Neon Diyas is more than a party; it’s a modern ritual of belonging. Interactive experiences help people connect, share laughter, and form friendships, creating a new kind of family away from home.
The future of rituals
From temple lamps to neon lights, from folk drums to DJ sets, from open courtyards to city clubs, the form changes, but the spirit remains.
Rituals are not about how we perform them, but why. They remind us who we are, where we come from, and how we can celebrate life together.
Neon Diyas is part of that ongoing story; proof that light always adapts, always shines, and always brings people together.
🎟️ Join the Glow
📅 Sunday, October 26, 2025
🕕 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
📍 LUSH Lounge & Theater, Minneapolis, MN
🎟️ Tickets & Info: thamcollective.com/neon-diyas