Diwali is the biggest Indian festival that involves a fun celebration with friends, relatives, and family members. The beauty of this festival is that it is that one festival which every Indian state celebrates (of course, with different rituals). But on the whole, any typical Diwali celebration is about worshipping deities, gorging on lavish food, packing and receiving gifts, and making new memories with your loved ones. The weather changes drastically after Dusshera and that fills the mind with sweet thoughts of Diwali. Swaying in that breezy wind, sweet sunshine, and not so humid weather I suddenly remembered those cute and nostalgic #DiwaliStories from yesteryears which are relevant till today.
I guarantee you all will connect with them strongly.
Annual Makeover For Home:
This is the only time when our homes get a serious makeover. The whole house is cleaned, some new furniture is bought discarding the old one, new paint and wall art is done, and of course, the string of lights are attached which enlivens the home. This is an activity in which every family member used to participate and now with the concept of nuclear families running rampantly, perhaps that “feel” of everyone engaging and doing a mundane job with fun is missing. Those who stay away from their families perhaps engage in house-cleaning alone and that’s when the picture of old days comes in front of the eyes vividly.
Untangling The Strings of Light:
The string of lights is not bought every year. It is used only during Diwali and then kept in the storeroom inside a box. Now every year it is the duty of someone in the family to bring that out and sit for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour to untangle it. This activity at my place was done by my uncle who demanded multiple cups of tea and a nice dinner once the job is done. Now, it is done by my younger brother who demands extra Diwali-money for this. I am sure you also have your sweet story regarding this string of light.
The Excitement of Wearing New Clothes:
Diwali is another name of showing off your new clothes to your cousins, relatives, and others in a cute way. During childhood, the excitement of new clothes used to be something else. That one special dress used to bring joy for at least 6 months. The excitement for a new piece of dress is still there but subtly. Perhaps that is called growing up when a new dress doesn’t excite you much.
Food & Diet:
There always used to be a teenage cousin or an aunt who used to talk a lot in family gatherings about their “healthy and no junk” diet chart. But thanks to Diwali they got a chance to taste the spicy food and yummy desserts but in a minimalistic way. Look around you – many people follow many types of diet to stay fit and fine. But Diwali comes with a ray of light for all and everyone forgets their “food rule” and gorge on the lavish spread on the dining table.
Scrap Is Not Scrap:
All those old and unused bottles were used during the fire cracking session outside with siblings and friends. The old newspapers were also brought out while the whole house used to go through a thorough renovation. So, scrap is never treated scrap during Diwali and that is not going to change anytime soon.
Writing Names With Crackers:
I don’t know if today’s kids can relate to this or not but I have tried this one many times. With those normal and coloured sparklers – everyone used to write their name in the air. That gave a feeling of victory.
Waiting For Cousins To Arrive:
As per our mythology, Lord Ram returned home with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana from the 14 years exile. Since then, Diwali is referred to as homecoming. So, those all who stay away from their homeland in some other city, district, or country return home to create some new Diwali memories with their loved ones. Those who have to return home start their countdown. And those who are already at home engage in planning the activities to be done when they meet.
More Sweets Than Food:
People love to exchange pleasantries through a box of sweets and during Diwali that’s the most popular choice of gift. Diwali is the only time of the year when the number of sweets outnumbers the types of food. You find a Dabba of mithai everywhere in every room and that doesn’t happen all through the year.
Popular Sweets Vanishes First:
Some like Rasgulla while some prefer Gulab Jamun and then some love Kaju Katli. So, depending on the choice of sweets in a family, the popular ones vanish first. Like in my family, my sister and I used to fight for the piece of motichoor ke laddoo from the box of assorted sweets. And when only motichoor laddoo boxes arrived, we used to cheat each other even after promising for an equal share.
No Curfew For Nightout:
Diwali used to be that time of the year when the parents used to cut-down restrictions on their kids. I guess that happens now also. On regular days, kids cannot watch TV post 10 P.M. or go to bed by 9:30 P.M. And keeping awake till late night meant a big scold from the parents. But Diwali came like a breather when the kids are seen running around the house and neighbourhood playing various games which they are going to miss badly once they grow up.