The Lonesome Road

I write about this festival every year - and as you can see, this year is no exception.

The change is that instead of ranting on and on about the pollution and the noise, I will talk about the celebrations in my house. While celebrating with friends is never quite the same as celebrating with family, there are days and times when the difference is very, very small.

This is how Divali went today: Our normal group of six was doubled today with the guests we had. So, today’s first fun (dinner) challenge was to cook food for ten people. After a lot of group effort (and swearing), we finally had a tasty shahi paneer, rotis (albeit a few got burnt), and sheera (over which there was a lot of debate regarding the sugar level).

Once all that was done, it was time to light the lamps - and take one of the first of a set of group photos. I’ll upload some pics later, but my annual “Spirit of Divali” picture can be seen here [Lens View]. The outdoor photoshoot did not last too long (and this photographer learnt some new words) as the temperature outside was pretty chilly - and the wind had picked up speed. Somehow all was managed without any loss of feeling in anyone’s limbs and we trooped back in for dinner.

This was another problem is logistics - the table we have comfortably seats six. This meant that we would have to eat in two rounds - or implement the age old indian tradition of sitting on the floor. So, we all sat on the floor and ate dinner together. Dinner finished, it was time for some fun. Well, everyone was so wrung out that we ended up sitting around the table (less three guests who headed back home) and played some cards.

It’s hard to believe that this is my second divali away from home. Time just seems to fly these days. To be honest though, this is what a divali celebration is like at my house (though with zero cursing, more food and no cards) - a gathering of friends and relatives, good food, and pleasant company - and a lot of light. This, after all, is the festival of lights.

To all my (few) readers - a very, very happy divali.