Best celebration of the year
Heaps of sweets,
splurging money on shopping, wearing best clothing’s and jewelry,
meeting loads of friends and relatives, burning fireworks, enjoying
every moment of the day….. Yes, it is Diwali time again! Diwali, India’s
biggest festival, splurges oodles of fun, laughter, feasting,
worshipping, enjoying fireworks and lot more. Although Diwali is a Hindu
festival, its gaiety and fervor has crossed the religious boundaries
and it is celebrated across the world, even by non-Hindus. Like people
world over celebrate events like Christmas and New Year ’s Eve, they
also make it a point to celebrate Diwali with much fanfare. Diwali for
us is more than just a festival. It is something that is part of our
lives, our emotions, our livelihood and best part of memories.
Diwali reflects love and faith in religion and God and at the same time,
it jazzes up moods and atmosphere. Go for shopping, wear best clothing
and jewelry, exchange gifts, spend time with family, pray together,
feast together, enjoy together eat good food … this is what Diwali
celebrations means. Moreover, Diwali, by Hindu calendar, is the
beginning of New Year and followers pray for a prosperous year ahead. In
fact, Diwali celebrations are related to very important Hindu
mythology; it signifies triumph of good over evil! Yes! This is what
Diwali symbolizes actually!
Create best fun mood on Diwali!
Diwali or Deepawali literally means “rows of lights”. Diwali is one
event that has the power to actually bring light and hope into dark
lives of people who are surrounded by despair. “Diyas” or oil-lamps,
candles and colorful strings of electric lights adorn all households on
this night. This darkest night of the month (it is no moon day) becomes
shiny and vibrant on the dancing flames of “Diyas” and candles. That is
the most beautiful night and most enchanting scenery in the whole year.
Observed on the no-moon day on the month of Kartik (October/November),
followers spare nothing to celebrate Diwali. They splurge on sweets, dry
fruits, crunchies, food, partying, gifts, clothes, jewelry and lot
more. And you girls and young ladies, adorn yourself with best
traditional clothes and striking jewelry to look most beautiful on this
day.
Shop, shop and shop; it’s Diwali!
In
addition, this is the shopping time again! Storeowners allure shoppers
with never-before bargains and deals as they know people, especially
women cannot hold themselves back when it comes to Diwali shopping. Make
it a point to start shopping many days before actually Diwali comes.
Markets are stuffed with variety of items such as gifts and clothes,
knick-knacks like wall hangings, painting, vases, flowers, furnishings,
crockery and other stuff to decorate.
Why Diwali Important?
For many reasons, Diwali is the favorite of most people. Though there
are myths, legends and tales are associated with Diwali, the one thing
is common all are directed towards one eternal truth that is “victory of
good over evil”. Ultimately, this festival of joyous and dancing lights
gives you an opportunity to connect to your roots, your traditions,
your people close to your heart and your homeland. It is an occasion to
freshen up your old friendships and relations, which became dull due to
your hectic schedules and to get together.
Best preserved legend of Diwali
According to this legend, Diwlai commemorates the homecoming of Hindu
lord Rama from an exile of fourteen years in the forests. Citizens in
his city welcomed him by lighting diyas, candles and lanterns to drive
away the prevailing darkness. Since that day, Hindus world over
celebrate this day by lighting earthen lamps, candles, and firing
crackers and fireworks. Moreover, it is time to please Goddess Lakshmi
who is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Staunch followers worship
Goddess Lakshmi at midnight to please the Goddess. Along with Lakshmi,
Lord Ganesha is another favorite deity that is worshipped on this
special day to pray for wellbeing of family and loved ones.
Diwali
celebrations are five days long. It starts from “Dhanteras” followed by
“Narak Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali”. Then comes Diwali that is also
fondly known as ‘Badi Diwali’ and this is the most important of all
festive days. Next day is relaxed a bit from festivities though it is
also a festival called “Goverdhan Puja”. Last day is the “Bhai Duj”.
Diwali Food
One of the biggest attractions of Diwali is food, sweets, savory snacks
and many sumptuous dishes. To tempt Ganesha, god who loves good food,
different kinds of sweets are prepared and savored on Diwali. You cannot
imagine Diwali without food, sweets and parties! Diwali is perfect
event for foodies as well as gourmands to gorge up good food and relish
it. During Diwali days, biggest profit earners are sweet shop owners, as
people just want to eat each good food item. You can prepare some at
your home also using the recipe given below.
Malpua
Ingredients :
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 cups wheat flour
4 tbsp yogurt or curd
10-15 whole peppercorns
Milk
Water
How to prepare
Mix all the dry ingredients and dahi to make a smooth batter. Add ½
milk and ½ water also to make its thickness like dosa batter
consistency. Then, keep it whipping until it is smooth. Add to it 10
peppercorns and keep it aside to let it rise for two hours.
Cooking
Heat oil on medium flame. Take large ladlefuls of this batter into the
oil in the form of 6-8 inches circles. Fry them until golden. Drain and
pat off oil from these malpuas, garnish with dry fruits and serve with
cream.
This time tempt Goddess Lakshmi this Diwali with lots of
love and pamper by serving her with your devotion. Have great time with
friends and family shopping, worshipping and partying together!
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