Get set to DAZZLE this Diwali

Diwali – the Festival of Lights is here again. Many myths are related to the festival, but in essence it is a celebration of good over evil, of the forces of light over darkness. And although we’re a long, long way from home, it’s the time to celebrate the festival with all the enthusiasm and fervour that one can muster up. So what if we’re sans the fireworks. So what if mum’s sweets back home taste better than the ones the wife makes. So what if the festival falls on a Friday. At least you have the weekend to celebrate. So try and give Diwali it’s due this year, with a few simple, yet symbolic gestures.

 

 

Puja
Worship is an essential motif of any traditional Indian festival, and on Diwali, it is essential to begin the three day celebration with either a puja at home or a visit to the temple. If battling traffic on a Friday and the vagaries of the weather make a visit to the temple too much of an effort, try and do a small puja at home, even if you’re not a Hindu. Tidy up your altar (if you have one), light a few diyas, fire up a few agarbattis and recite the only prayers you may remember, even if it’s just the theme song of the age-old teleseries Ramayan. Give thanks to God, whatever you may perceive Him to be, and make the usual requests of health, happiness, wealth. Naturally, the order will depend on your priorities in life.

 

Lights
What is a festival of lights without illumination? If you’ve run out of tealights to use in the traditional diyas and oil’s too messy, simply bring out the fairy lights used to adorn the Christmas tree. If you don’t have those either, department stores are already busting with all kinds of Christmas paraphernalia, including fairy lights. String them up around your doorway, backyard, balcony or even around your altar at home. The location doesn’t matter, as long as they’re lit. And even better if your neighbours notice and ask what the celebration’s all about. You could even find them joining the Diwali revels…

 

 

Fireworks
Rockets, phooljadis, fountains, sparkers… all these are significant of Diwali, and are enjoyed by our light and sound loving compatriots back home. But curb your enthusiasm, as fireworks are much of a taboo here in Australia. Any attempt to light a few could have the anti-terrorist squad coming to the party and you wouldn’t like them to gatecrash your Diwali celebrations. So stick to the modest sparklers, and try to disguise your jealousy as pals on Facebook brag about their contribution to smoke and noise pollution.

 

 

Sweets
Now here’s one significant emblem without which Diwali wouldn’t be quite the same. It’s the sweets, and the taste of warm and succulent gulab jamuns to every conceivable form of barfi; from meetha shakkarpara to aam ras, all lovingly prepared to give your tummy and tastebuds a flavour of the season. And let’s not forget that savoury snacks fall into this category. So don’t hesitate to gorge on the murukku, masala mix, aloo bondas, khakra etc. Indulge a bit – after all, it’s Diwali. You can diet during Christmas, and call it a challenge. 

 

 

Cards
Finally, something for the masculine element. And what a great excuse to spend a rare night away from the biwi and bacchas, playing taash with your mates in an atmosphere of amiable inebriety. It’s all in the spirit of Diwali, which, you should remind your other half, comes but once a year! A word of advice, though. Don’t cheat, and quit while you’re ahead, so that you don’t turn your winnings into losings. And remember that no matter how great your buddies may be when sober, with cards, like love, its dost dost na raha! Hic!

 

Traditional attire
Oh yes, this is the perfect opportunity to deck up in an outfit similar to the one Katrina Kaif was wearing at the fifth item number in her latest blockbuster flick. So what if you’re 15kgs heavier and at least a foot shorter; imitation is still the sincerest form of flattery! So bedeck yourself in glitter and zari, in silk and chiffon. Bare the bulging midriff if you have to, bring out all your traditional jewellery… and celebrate Diwali in style. For the guys, when was the last time you donned a kurta? Perhaps at your wedding a decade ago? Match up to your wife’s ensemble and trade in t-shirt and thongs for a subtly embroidered kurta with kohlapuri chappals. It will certainly set the mood for Diwali.

 

Jewellery
And ladies, don’t lose heart. After a night of cards, the admirable spouse will probably be willing to part with a portion of his winnings so that you can trawl the jewellery shops to pick up a little trinket for yourself. And even if he hasn’t won, parting with some more cash will be worth those few hours of peace as he sleeps through the hangover. Make sure you get something nice and pricey, and perhaps something for your mum, sister and daughter as well. Diwali’s a time for generosity, and at least he’ll be the popular one for a couple of days. Don’t you just love the traditions of Diwali?

So celebrate the season. Get together with friends and throw a Diwali bash. At least you’ll be able to show off your Bollywood dance moves, after all those expensive lessons. Order takeaway paneer makhani, rogan josh, chicken tikka, vegetable biryani and parathas. Diwali comes but once a year, so have a blast! Happy Diwali!