DIWALI

There is a familiar feeling surfacing inside each of us right now. A feeling of joy which envelops us all, each year, around this time. Suddenly our mothers are over interested in the cleanliness of the home, and dad keeps suggesting certain rooms in the home that can be white washed. I don’t know about you, but when these conversations start up in my home, it’s when I know that it’s time for the favorite festival of millions of Indians around the globe, Its DIWALI.

Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, falls on the day of 'Amavasyaa', when the moon does not rise and there is darkness all around. Light, a symbol of hope and positive energy, is spread by all of us in each corner of our premises, to destroy the reign of darkness, on the night of Diwali.

The festival of Diwali is celebrated by people of a number of cultures, to mark different historical events and stories. The most commonly known Hindu story being the return of Lord Rama to his home after 14 years. All these stories, symbolize the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair. Despite having different meanings, and being celebrated differently across various households, Diwali brings the same peace and joy to each of us. I guess, it is why we so warmly welcome this festival and await its return each year. I personally know of people, who are beaming with joy when October hits the calendar, because for them, Diwali season starts, and they cannot control their excitement.

From the beginning of the month, we’re all determined to go shopping. Shopping, not just for our usual jeans and tees, but for the beautiful ethnic lehengas, anarkali, and kurtas. We all start thinking of gifts that we want from parents or elders, and also of the gifts that we want give to our relatives on this occasion. Bed sheets, bed covers and kitchen appliances are bought in bulk, places like GK and Lajpat Nagar offer special Diwali discounts, and each weekend of the month, goes into preparing for the festival.

There is a lineup of festivals before Diwali, which include dusshera, karvachauth, and dhanteras, all of which keep increasing our excitement for the main event. There are many Diwali melas in the city, in the colonies and even in colleges, for us to be ready for the event. Special Diwali nights happen in trendy restaurants, and even the malls change their décor to fit in with the festive feeling. Everything around us just screams: It’s Diwali!

One of the major things that Delhiites are fond of are the Diwali parties. Dates start getting booked, outfits begin to get selected, maybe even coordinated, and everyone sends out their invites, for their Diwali Party Night. These Diwali parties, are not just normal gatherings. Here, everyone appears in their best ethnic wear, caterers are hired, and the most loved card game, “teen patti” is played. Be it friends, family or colleagues, everyone gets together, with good food and drinks, for a fun filled night.

For me however, Diwali still remains my mom screaming to get the house cleaned, and dad going to the same store, with mom and me, to buy the gifts. It’s when I visit my aunts, uncles and sisters, to exchange the gifts, some laughs and a lots of love. It’s when the whole city is so beautifully lit up, that Delhi traffic during the near Diwali weekend, becomes more bearable. Our home is also beautifully lit up, because each of us supervises when the ferry lights are being put, to get the most symmetric “u” shape. There has once been an attempt at making a Rangoli in the morning, and after the miserable outcome of that year, we now skip this tradition. On the day, the entire family gets together and prays to goddess Lakshmi, candles and dias are lit up, and now since my brother and I are wiser with age, we give the crackers a rest. Mouthwatering food is eaten, but before we know it, the night ends, we all retire, and Diwali finishes. Only for all of us to start awaiting this festive season for the next year!

By Neeti Oberoi