Saturday
Nov062010
Diwali
Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 12:18 AM 
Pity the stray dogs of Delhi! I've known some good Bonfire Nights and enjoyed several 4th of July celebrations; but you ain't seen - or heard - nothin' in the fireworks department until you've experienced Diwali in an Indian city.
The noise of exploding firecrackers and showering fireworks went on for hours, long into the night. Buildings were bedecked in strings of twinkling colour and candles burned inside and outside every home (a girl has to be careful not to set her sari alight!).
We celebrated the festival of lights with our taya and tayi - our uncle and aunt. Pumi Aunty is the one who has masterminded our trip here, orchestrating the visits to our many different relatives, clucking round us like a fierce mother hen. If she doesn't know the answer to our many queries, she always knows the right person to ask and is on her phone in a second. She's almost 80 years old, about four feet high, formidable and astonishing and we adore her. Anand Uncle is quiet and gracious and has welcomed us so warmly.
We were each invited to light a diya (candle) to mark the occasion and helped place garlands of marigolds around the framed photographs of relatives who have died. Gifts were exchanged. Then we shared yet another wonderful meal together.
We drove home through a city exploding in celebration (unless you're a petrified dog, that is); and lingered on the rooftop terrace of our hotel, enjoying the spectacle in the sky, the noise of the shouting and the crackers below. We finally fell asleep despite a still deafeningly loud Delhi. And as I write this the following morning, there are still intermittent explosions outside.
November 5th will never be quite the same again.
Reader Comments (3)
Wonderful to hear about your beautiful and exciting experiences in India! Part of me is there with you!
Sounds amazing, Helen. And a fantastic kick-off for... something! Some new adventure, project, journey...
Wow, it sound amazing! I have always wanted to visit India, and now I get to travel along with you on your blog. Please post more pictures!! :) xo