Happy Diwali to you all. May this year bring you happiness and prosperity!
Lights, Sweets, Crackers, Oil bath, Rangoli, and new clothes would make our Diwali very special. We would first apply Arishina (Turmeric powder) and Kumkuma (Vermilion) to the new clothes before wearing them. After a luxurious Oil head bath, we would wear the new clothes and do namaskara (obeisance) to the Gods and all the elders. I remember the excitement and hesitation while bursting the first few crackers. After a while, we would dare to hold the small crackers in hand and throw as it would get closer to bursting. Peels of laughter would engulf the streets. We would gleefully look at the paper mess after bursting crackers, secretly comparing the quantity of paper in front of other houses. Trays of sweets were exchanged among the neighbors. During Lakshmi Pooja, the fragrance of flowers and incense sticks mingled with the burnt crackers left people hoping for yet another good year. Another perk was that the Mysore palace would be lit on all three days during Diwali. Those were the days gone by… cherished and enjoyed to the hilt.
Habbada Thindi – Festival Sweets and Savories
