Srishti G.

Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand & Early Careers

Festivals carry stories of faith, family, and food, and each one lights up a different corner of who we are. In a country as lively and multicultural as India, the calendar sparkles all year as Toasters together celebrate Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Durga Puja, Pongal, Lohri, and so many more, each with its own music, colors, and flavors.

At Toast India, we bring the spirit of celebration to our workplaces, transforming our offices into vibrant reflections of each festival’s colors and traditions. The atmosphere comes alive with festive décor, traditional attire, and delicious meals curated with authentic dishes that let everyone savor the flavors of the occasion. Photo booths capture joyful moments, while team-building activities create opportunities for connection, collaboration, and shared celebration.

Recently, Toasters came together to celebrate Diwali in our India offices with vibrant origami diya art, festive meals, and moments filled with laughter and connection. Earlier in the year, Pongal and Ugadi were marked with traditional banana leaf meals, while Eid brought teams together over delicious biryani lunches and traditional attire—each celebration adding its own warmth and color to our workplace culture.

Beyond celebrating festivals in the office, we take pride in encouraging Toasters to share their traditions and culture with team members around the world. These celebrations become beautiful moments of connection—where Toasters reflect on what each festival means to them, the memories they hold close, and the traditions that make every celebration truly special.

This year, we caught up with Toasters across India to hear about the festivals closest to their hearts. Dive into their stories of joy, togetherness, and celebration!

Being a Bengali, I look forward to Durga Puja throughout the year. The ten day long festival celebrates the homecoming of Maa Durga and the triumph of good over evil, with each day carrying its own significance. 
I still remember my first Puja in Kolkata at age 11, when the dhak beats (festival drums), lights, and crowds left me awestruck. That wonder is why it is not just a religious occasion, it is an emotion and a cultural extravaganza. During this time, open air exhibitions come alive across towns and cities with magnificent pandals (temporary decorated structures) and idols telling unique stories inspired by mythology, social themes, and global art and architecture. There are endless festive delicacies too, from simple Khichuri (rice and lentils), Labra (mixed vegetable curry), and Payesh (rice pudding) to sweets such as Lalmohon and Lengcha (fried milk sweets with syrup).
— Debarthy D., Analyst, Payments Pricing & Operations (Chennai)

Pongal is celebrated as a harvest festival to thank the Sun God, Mother Earth, and farm animals for abundance and to mark the Tamil month of Thai and new beginnings. A traditional dessert -  Sakkarai Pongal prepared at sunrise in a clay pot over a wood fire with raw rice, jaggery, ghee, raisins, and cashews holds a special place in my heart simply because beyond its rich taste, it symbolizes prosperity, gratitude, and new beginnings.At Toast we celebrate Pongal in the true spirit of teamwork, inclusivity, and honoring culture. This year, we wore traditional attire and joined friendly competitions that highlighted creativity and team spirit. We created our own miniature Pongal scene presented through rangoli with a clay pot, sugarcane, paddy, dolls, a straw fired clay stove, flowers, and a Thirukkural recitation (couplet from a classic Tamil text).
— Priyadharshini K., Senior Software Engineer (Chennai)

The festival that brings me joy is Eid-ul-Fitr as it marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection, and it always feels like a fresh start. Rooted in gratitude, compassion, and togetherness, we begin the day with special prayers at the mosque and give Zakat al Fitr (charity so everyone can celebrate). 
What I hold most dear during EId celebrations is waking up early, wearing new clothes, receiving Eidi (gift money) from elders , adorning my hands with mehndi (henna), visiting family and friends throughout the day, and sharing Sheer Khurma (vermicelli milk dessert with dates and nuts) with loved ones.
— Rahima Y., Care Account Operations Advisor (Chennai)

Christmas reminds us of God’s love, peace, joy, and hope given to humanity, and it encourages us to love one another, forgive, and share kindness. At home these beliefs come alive as we build the Nativity scene (birth of Jesus in Bethlehem), set up a beautiful Christmas tree and lights, sing carols and songs, and share gifts. 
I truly treasure the midnight service and joining in the joyful hymns, because the peace, prayers, and sense of unity in the church always fill my heart with the true spirit of Christmas. In our kitchen, Christmas feels complete only when we make Gala Gala sweet (a crunchy fried sweet coated in sugar). The whole family gathers to fry it, coat it with sugar, and taste it fresh.
— Amala F., Assistant Manager, Billing Operations (Chennai)

 

Diwali - the festival of Lights, for me is not just about sparkling lamps or fireworks but the deeper meaning of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Although I come from a different religion, I take part with the same excitement and joy, and these celebrations have taught me that they are less about religion and more about love, community, and togetherness. In fact, I love visiting friends during Diwali to help light diyas (earthen oil lamps), savour delicious sweets (Ladoo, Barfi, and Kaju Katli), enjoy meals, and watch fireworks burst across the night sky while feeling that the entire neighborhood is wrapped in light, joy, and harmony.
— Ruksana P., Senior Talent Acquisition Partner (Bangalore)

Lohri brings me the most excitement with its vibrant celebrations, warmth, and unity as it marks the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer, brighter days. It is a time to thank nature for a bountiful harvest, especially sugarcane and wheat, as families and communities gather around a blazing bonfire to offer sesame seeds, jaggery, and Rewri (sesame brittle) and to sing folk songs in traditional attire. My most favourite memory from Lohri is celebrating at our house, circling the bonfire to dance to the dhol (drum), relish Gajak and Rewri (sesame and jaggery sweets) and offer sesame seeds while making wishes, especially with my grandparents.
— Simranjeet K., QA Engineer II (Bangalore)