Diwali Day

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Awake a little later today and even missed ginger tea that had already been served!

Breakfast was great, as always. Guests delivered gifts throughout the day. We had been allocated a job to clean the evening Puja area at the back of the house. We did most of it before the cleaner kicked us out and wanted to continue by himself.

A huge rangoli was being made on the tiles at the front of the house we watched the masterpiece being created whilst listening to Diwali music for the godess Lakshmi (godess of wealth, who rides an owl). It takes quite a while to create the Rangoli using coloured fine grained sand. It is layered and combed to spread the colours and make it look 3D.  The rangoli is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the house and welcomes guests.



Our friends nipped out for some last minute shopping so we watched India beat the Netherlands in the cricket World Cup.


Evening Puja took a long time to create. The backroom of the house was decorated, lots of candles and lanterns were lit. Diwali music playing made the atmosphere very relaxing. We were given traditional clothes to wear so we could take part. Following the puja ritual we headed outside. It was now firework time.


The fireworks and fire crackers in India are so loud when they bang, we found ourselves covering our ears on numerous occasions.  Almost every house was setting off fireworks and paper lanterns dotted the skies.  Fireworks are seen as a way to deter evil spirits.

Family members of our friends arrived and then it was time for dinner.  We had a feast of different foods, followed by coffee.  Then it was round 2 of the fireworks.   

Before we knew it, it was gone midnight.  The family members left,.we did a little clearing up and then it was time for bed.  What a great day!


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