Happy Diwali, India!!!!
Yesterday, 9th November was Diwali, the most beloved festival in India. It is a festival of lights (and a celebration of new year). The hindus worship the god Lakshmi (the god of wealth) on this day and the Sikhs celebrate the return of their sixth Guru from his imprisonment. It is said that the Guru refused to return until the Maharajas were released and in connection to that, Diwali is also a festival of unity between different religions.
Since Sukhbir’s father died a few months back, our family did not celebrate Diwali (in fact, no festival will be celebrated for a year), however we did go to the Gurudwara and light some candles and pray to the god. Everybody else, though, decorated their houses with lights (just as we decorate Christmas trees), burned crackers and sent rockets into the sky. I must give it to the Indians: our New-Year fireworks are NOTHING comparing to the Indian Diwali fireworks, which are tremendously beautiful, massive and long-lasting (I think the major blasting lasted for 8 hours). Today I can still hear at least 4-5 blasts every minute. Diwali for Indians is like New-year and Christmas all in one since they exchange gifts as well as burn the cackers and although my family didn’t celebrate Diwali, Sukhbir and Harleen gave me a framed picture of me and my little host-brother (both in turbans and curta-pajamis) and a statue of laughing Buddha which brings good luck and happiness.
Yesterday, 9th November was Diwali, the most beloved festival in India. It is a festival of lights (and a celebration of new year). The hindus worship the god Lakshmi (the god of wealth) on this day and the Sikhs celebrate the return of their sixth Guru from his imprisonment. It is said that the Guru refused to return until the Maharajas were released and in connection to that, Diwali is also a festival of unity between different religions.
Since Sukhbir’s father died a few months back, our family did not celebrate Diwali (in fact, no festival will be celebrated for a year), however we did go to the Gurudwara and light some candles and pray to the god. Everybody else, though, decorated their houses with lights (just as we decorate Christmas trees), burned crackers and sent rockets into the sky. I must give it to the Indians: our New-Year fireworks are NOTHING comparing to the Indian Diwali fireworks, which are tremendously beautiful, massive and long-lasting (I think the major blasting lasted for 8 hours). Today I can still hear at least 4-5 blasts every minute. Diwali for Indians is like New-year and Christmas all in one since they exchange gifts as well as burn the cackers and although my family didn’t celebrate Diwali, Sukhbir and Harleen gave me a framed picture of me and my little host-brother (both in turbans and curta-pajamis) and a statue of laughing Buddha which brings good luck and happiness.
Below: a house, decorated for Diwali
Following pics: Fireworks on Diwali
If 9th November was important because of Diwali then 8th saw me in Chandigarh, viewing an event which was not much less important than Diwali: the cricket match between India and Pakistan.Me and Sam had Indian flags painted on our cheeks (just so that there would be no confusion about who we supported) and a lot of people gave us credit for supporting "the right team". Sadly our team lost but I enjoyed the match nevertheless and to be honest I must salute the Pakistanis who made an extraordinary game. One of their batsman, Younis Khan, hit 117 runs and although there is a huge rivalry (if not hatred) between India and Pakistan, after Younis Khan was out, everybody stood up and gave him an amazing applause. Perhaps that’s what sports and sportsmanship is all about: leaving aside your political and religious views and honoring people for who they are and what they do. It is funny how somewhat 5 months ago I didn’t know a thing about cricket and now I’m a devoted fan, I suppose it’s just so easy to get attached to it because India is all about cricket, in fact I would have to be very ignorant in order to not get involved in it.
Fan of india
2 comments:
Kuule mees, anna meile ka endast teada, nii kaua pole kuulnud sinust, tegelt ka :)
hey siim...happpy diwali to you....u remember me? i'm payal from delhi....u seem to be havign a lot of fun...thats greati guesse u're at your mid year seminar now....it'll be fun..u coming to delhi for xmas?
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