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Walking Down Diwali Lane

 


"Nandini, today is the thirteenth day of me telling you to clean out your room! Diwali is only two weeks away. You do know that the painters are coming tomorrow, don't you?"

 "Mom, are you seriously counting the times you tell me to organise my room?" 

"Yes, it is ammunition for our future arguments. Truly, Goddess Lakshmi will think twice before entering our house."

Meanwhile, Mukti, my little sister, is running around the living room doing God knows what. She is all squeals and giggles; until she nearly trips over a stack of photo albums. 

Seeing the labels - Diwali of 2006, 2008, 2011, and 2016, we call Mom over and sit on the bed excitedly. I open the 2006 album to a photo of me (aged 8), wearing a pink lehenga that I remember crying and begging for. Mom teases me, “Do you remember how you convinced us? You said that new clothes are a new beginning, that they bring good luck and joy, so if you don’t get this lehenga, you will be miserable for the whole year.”

Embarrassed, I smile. Mukti pipes up, "When do we apply oil and take a bath?”

“That’s the second day." 

"Can you explain all five days?"

“Sure. First comes Dhanteras. We worship Lord Dhanvantri, the god of health and healing. People perform pujas and buy gold and silver on this day: a symbol of prosperity. Next, Naraka Chaturdashi, or Choti Diwali, when Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. We do abhyang snan - applying oil to the body before sunrise and taking a bath, to rid one of impurities, followed by pujas. Thirdly, Diwali. People wake up early and take a ritual bath. In the evening, we perform Lakshmi Puja - ”

Mukti interrupts, “In the evening?”

“People believe that in the evening, Goddess Lakshmi is present on Earth and showers her blessings on all.”

“Govardhan Puja comes next, right?

“Yes, it commemorates Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Vrindavan from heavy rain. People prepare a mountain of food (Annakut). People also celebrate ‘Naya Saal': the first day of the new Hindu year. Lastly, Bhaubeej, which celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters - sisters pray for the well-being of their brothers and brothers give gifts to their sisters.”

I sigh, “Diwali talk reminds me of Kinjal Aunty’s kaju katli. This year, I will go house-hopping and try food everywhere!”

“You won’t be exempted from your peda and shankarpala-making duties. Mukti, you’re in charge of ladoos and chaklis. Dad and I will make karanjis, barfis, and halwa.”

"Why am I still stuck with pedas?”

“It has always been your duty. Evidence, your honour." She shows me a 2008 picture, where I am lost in decorating pedas with dry fruits.

“I still have a question - why do we celebrate Diwali?” 

“Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness. It commemorates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. We light lamps and burst firecrackers to dispel darkness. They remind us that even in the darkest of times, hope and goodness will prevail.”

Mukti, going through the 2011 album, exclaims, "The Diwali lights are in such complex patterns - peacocks, seriously? How are the lanterns so huge, and in so many shapes? And the rangolis - they're beautiful! Even a World Cup and an MS Dhoni rangoli! I hope for something similar this year too!”

“Don’t jinx it!”

“All these are more than just mere decorations - they spread positive energy and ward off negativity. They welcome Goddess Lakshmi and are believed to bring good luck to the family. Girls, I hope you have your rangoli ideas for this year ready.”

Going through the 2016 album, I feel my excitement for Diwali surging, even for the Diwali GIFs that will flood my phone and the dry fruits we will receive as gifts. One of the best times of the year will soon be here! 



Meet the Author

I’m gonna ‘just looking like a wow’ my way through life.

Niyati Bhat

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