Diwali fever sets in!

The Diwali buzz is in the air! And city folks are in a festive mood, as they get busy with pujas, parties and patakas!

Get-togethers
For Anu Keerthi, a homemaker from the city, Diwali is all about spending time with friends and family. “We start organising Diwali parties 10 days ahead of the festival. We all meet and have loads of fun with music and dance. We also organise family lunches,” she says. Designer Kamini Saraf adds, “Ahead of the festival, we (friends and family) meet every day. People who I can’t call for small events are also invited for Diwali bashes. It’s like a carnival, where we sing, dance, eat and have unlimited fun.”

Following traditions
Rekha Jain, a homemaker, says it’s important to keep traditions alive while we celebrate the festival. “It begins with Dhanteras, followed by Kali Chaudas and Diwali, and then the New Year commences. It’s four days of rituals and temple visits. We perform Lakshmi puja at home and at the workplace. The whole house is cleaned and decorated with lamps and flowers. We also burst crackers,” she says. Bobby Kandhari from ABsalut Style, adds, “I usually wear western clothes, but for Diwali I go traditional. The whole family gets new clothes. Though my two sons are not traditional, I make sure they follow a few rituals during the festival. We follow the Punjabi rituals that are carried down from generations.”

Decorations
Srimani says, “During Diwali, we adorn the house with diyas and rangolis — my mother makes beautiful ones. Family and friends meet and have fun, celebration is in the air. Diwali and Holi are my favourite festivals. They bring out the child in you. This year, we have limited the celebrations to decorations and are not bursting crackers. The children have grown up, so it’s going to be a silent Diwali for us.”

A festival of giving
Designer Poonam Choudhari of the Jannat brand, says that it is important to help the underprivileged. “We go to temples during Diwali and organise Bhojans. In the evenings, we organize parties. The celebrations are exciting,” she says. Anu Keerthi and Bobby Kandhari make sure that their maids and staff don’t feel left out. They give them new clothes, sweets and celebrate the festival with them.

Beyond religion
Anjum Babukhan, Director of Education at the Glendale Academy, says, “I visit my friends’ houses for Diwali parties. My kids are very excited to be a part of Diwali celebrations. It’s reciprocal — during Ramzan, we invite people for dinner at our home. Festivals bring people together.”