Deepavali in Canada

Deepavali is the Festival of lights. Here in Calgary, its not much of a buzz. Back in India, the day starts with a sure buzz..I remember the days when we used to get up early in the morning, around 4-5 a.m and have oil bath, wear new clothes, pray and then start bursting crackers.. It used to be a competition to see who bursts their crackers first.. Always my dad used to start with a Pusvaanam- the flower pot sparkler from which a whole lot used to come like a fountain of stars.. All around when so called flower pots are lit, the area gets ethereally lit and it sure gives a magical feeling.. Then we proceeded with the small crackers and then keep the atom bomb cracker, lakshmi vedi etc etc.. The thousand vaalas crackers were definitely a hit..

The other day when we were reminiscing about Deepavali, one of our friends explained clearly how they used to pool the marunthu from the crackers together and then light it up..It was a good team effort with boys waiting for other boys to come and give their share and then light up the whole thing with a big bang..Deepavali was definitely not complete without Rockets .. We used to light up this particular cracker by keeping it in a bottle and then lighting it up..Then for the ladies of the house and the young comes the sparklers..They are fun to hold in the hand..

Then when we got back inside the house, Mum used to feed us all those savouries and sweets starting with Deepavali Marunthu for digestion.. There were lots of dishes made during the time complete with payasam and vada. wow!! Mouthwatering!! This was followed by a short nap after which there is bursting of crackers again in the evening..

So Deepavali was loads of fun.It still is, what with the new dresses and oil bath minus the crackers here, but the usual round of calling friends to ask"Gangasnaanam aacha?" still goes on..
Eatables are also done but to a smaller scale...Its definitely a plus that we have all these Diwali get togethers and programs in the Mandir for Deepavali..

As to what have I made for Deepavali this year, I started off with Carrot Halwa and some namkhin and then the meal was vendakai (okra)sambar, thakkali(tomato) rasam, Aviyal( Veg Curry), Curd Rice and last but not the least, Icecream..

Happy Deepavali to Everyone!!