Clay Diyas...the most common image of Diwali
I wonder where Diwali will fit in with the other assimilated US holidays. Will it be like St. Patrick's day or Cinco de Mayo? Will it be commercialized the heck out of like Christmas or will the burgeoning Indian population in the US keep it on their own terms? I suppose time will tell.
Don't get me wrong, it is a big commercial event here, but I get the sense that it still has a far more substantially religious meaning for those who celebrate it than Christmas does for Americans. And when I say religious, that doesn't necessarily mean spiritual.
In the meanwhile, festival preparations are under way.
Ahmedabad buildings decorated with lights...
Colored sand to make Rangoli art pieces...
Phool wali...flower vendors with marigolds to decorate doorways, necks and temples.
Children with "crackers"...fireworks are a big part of Diwali and some can be down right scary. These children were using stones to pound snapping crackers...the explosions were surprisingly loud. They seemed quite satisfied with the knowledge that they were scandalizing nearby adults.
Another hallmark of Diwali is the gifting of sweets, dried fruits and nuts. The sweets are generally an assortment of barfi sweets. I personally had an avoidance to barfi after an incident with overexposure to it the evening before our wedding, but have come to enjoy it sense. Maybe too much.
My in-laws were so pleased to see me wide-eyed as I opened and sampled the gifts they'd received, that mummy wanted to take some snaps.
I must warn you...if you had any notion I was a lady or even attractive these pictures may dispel such beliefs...
Although this one captured the sentiment, I didn't think it was that great so I tried again...
This one I think I was trying too hard to make Surnish's folks laugh...needless to say it did the trick....
Buying a New Car...In India
Did you ever wonder why a new car in America may act up shortly after receiving it?
It's because you didn't bless it properly and welcome it into your family.
Upon delivery of mummy and papa's new car it was gifted a flower necklace and anointed with vermilion symbols of luck including the ever present Swastik ( I put that on).
Then I (a person they consider to be very auspicious) was the first to drive it for added luck.
What do you know about that!?!
It's because you didn't bless it properly and welcome it into your family.
Upon delivery of mummy and papa's new car it was gifted a flower necklace and anointed with vermilion symbols of luck including the ever present Swastik ( I put that on).
Then I (a person they consider to be very auspicious) was the first to drive it for added luck.
What do you know about that!?!
And Finally...Meetu
He has been in the family almost as long as Surnish and is quite a character. Here he is just after a bath...I love his punk look and couldn't resist take a snap.
He has been in the family almost as long as Surnish and is quite a character. Here he is just after a bath...I love his punk look and couldn't resist take a snap.
Thanks for checking in!
Peace,
A Pink American
Peace,
A Pink American
2 comments:
You make me feel like I am right there with you enjoying the holiday. Please wish Surnish's parents a very happy Diwali for us. It is such a pleasure to get a glimpse into their lives, their home, their city, their country. Somehow Denver doesn't seem quite so exotic -- and yet from what I've seen it's not like India is so different. On another note, Surnish must be missing you...
I loved reading this, Jarucia! I always thought (I mean since a very young age) that I would like to visit India. Who knows? It may happen someday.
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