Celebrating Dazzling Deepavali !!!🪔🪔🪔

 It’s Diwali time !!!🎆🎆

I am enthusiastically waiting for Diwali, who doesn't? Time for all kinds of shopping and eating till our heart desires. 

 Whether we are heading out on a shopping spree to buy colorful clothes for entire family with lots of sales and discounts offered by various boutiques 👔👗 or eating huge variety of homemade/ store bought lip smacking sweets and savories 🍛🍚where at least for few days we have no restrictions on our diet and the food we eat. We could make healthy festive snacks but it definitely wouldn't have the same taste as traditional one (You know adding lots of Ghee/Butter and sugar while making sweets). Hope you all agree with me....😀

Some of my favorite Diwali sweets are -

1. "yummy" Jalebies 😋( Did you know "Jalebi" is the National sweet of India? It is prepared in every state and corner in India. )

2. Kaju Katli (Made with Cashews - My kid calls it "Diamond" ♢ sweet due to its shape 😀 )

3. Ladoo whether its made of Boondi or Motichoor or Besan or Suji.💛💛

4. Gulab Jamun with rabri. 😍

and few more.

How many of you are eagerly waiting for wearing new colorful clothes and eating lots of sweets and savories? Share the name of your favorite sweet dish too?? Would love to hear your side stories in the comment section...

Deepavali symbolizes positivity is a Sanskrit term - Deepa - Lamps (Preferably Clay) or lights

Avali -  Row

So, its "Row of lamps/ lights" symbolizing the victory of light over darkness or victory of good over evil.

Houses, shops and public places are decorated with small oil lamps called "diyas" or string of lights are attached to the entrance.

Deepavali or Diwali is a very important Hindu-originated festival celebrated in India and by many Indians across the world. I believe, not only Hindus, this festival is observed by Jains (celebrate by fasting and chanting mantras to honor Lord Mahavir), Sikhs (celebrate by lighting the Golden Temple @ Amritsar), Buddhists (celebrate to honor Emperor Ashoka's decision to convert to Buddhism) and those who are interested in fireworks.

Diwali/ Deepavali is a 5 days festival starts on the 13th day after the full moon or "Poornima" (is the word for full moon in Sanskrit).

Day 1- Dhanteras.  The word is split into "dhan" means wealth and "teras" means 13th day.

Day 2- On 14th day we celebrate Narak Chaturdashi or "Choti" Diwali.

Day 3- On 15th day which is Amavasya (or No moon day) we celebrate Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped everywhere. 

Day 4- On 16th day we celebrate Govardhan Puja and we worship Lord Krishna.

Day 5- On 17th day we celebrate Bhai Dooj. The word  "Bhai" meaning brother and "Dooj" meaning the 2nd day after the "new moon". This is one such festival that can define unique understanding between a brothers and a sisters.

I start cleaning my home thoroughly 3-4 days before the Diwali festival clearing all the unused and unwanted clothes by donating at the nearest Goodwill/ or any donation center, do keep in mind to never donate torn clothes to goodwill/ or any other donation center including orphanages. 

Next, I start decorating or refurbishing my home and doorways with colorful décor including Toran (which is a decorative garland hung at the entrance door- You can find it in any Indian grocery stores in International countries and in India - I'm sure majority knows where to buy festive deco items in their own cities) and draw a nice Rangoli design infront of my home. 

And from the first day of Diwali till 5th day we surround ourselves with Diwali decorations, diyas, candles and lanterns.

We often gather for potlucks either in our house or friends/ relatives homes depending on what we plan and with whom. Share sweets, play games, dance/music and finally have lunch/dinner depending on the time we plan. While social distancing during this covid situation making large gatherings difficult, we still can possible connect with limited friends/relatives (with masks on) who are interested in celebrating Diwali potluck. So far, we have invited just 2 other close friends to our home for a potluck to enjoy the feeling of togetherness.

Fireworks are always a big part of Diwali festival. But, I believe in Eco-friendly and safe Diwali. I just light decorative diyas, candles and add string of lights inside and outdoor of my house. Its been 2 decades since I lit firecrackers to avoid the increase in spike of air pollution at least from my side.     

Decorative diyas can be purchased in almost all Indian grocery stores in the US and are also available on Amazon. But would also suggest to buy in India whenever you go for vacation. Tell your family members to buy during Diwali and you can pick it up when you travel to India.

There are many stories in Hindu mythology as to why we celebrate Diwali which I would definitely want to share at least few I know -

1.  As per the "Ramayana" (a remembered text), on Diwali Lord Rama, His wife Goddess Sita, His brother Lakshmana, and His ideal devotee Hanuman   returned to Ayodhya after killing Ravana- the Demon King of Lanka while spending 14 years of exile in forests.

2. Lord Vishnu reincarnated as Lord Krishna defeated and killed Narakasura-  the demon king the day before Diwali. Thus the day is celebrated as 'Naraka Chaturdashi'.

3. As per the "Mahabharata" (a remembered text), Pandavas returned to their homeland after 13 years of exile. They were welcomed by their people with earthen diyas and cheers.

Diwali Feast - Since its a festival of 5 days, I would prepare menu according to our family traditions and all recipes are NO onion, NO garlic which is often made during religious occasions. Sharing the names of some of the dishes I prepare. Since its NOT a food blog and incase you are interested in knowing about the dish and its recipe, please leave a comment below and I would definitely share my recipe to the requested viewer. 

Apart from store bought sweets/ savories and regular lentils/ curries, these are the special dishes I prepare for 5 days -😋😋😋

1. Tamarind Rice

2. Rice Kheer/ Pudding

3. Puran poli

4. Dahi Bhalla or Curd/Dahi Vada

I think I'll stop writing this article here...

Hope You all have a Wonderful and Prosperous Diwali. May this Diwali bring Happiness at your doorsteps.

A very Happy Diwali 2021 to you and your family! 🪔🪔🪔

Stay Safe friends and Have fun exploring my Blog and if possible do visit the places I've mentioned whenever ur free…

Until my next article ….👋