We just put up our Diwali lantern and holiday lights in the patio. Plan to light plenty of diyas and draw a rangoli by the door this evening. And between that and work I hope to squeeze in some time to make mithai at home. Oh well..
Back in India we celebrated diwali together with my dad's side of the family. There used to be about 30 of us together - aunts, uncles cousins and their kids. Every ritual was done together, punctuated by huge meals in between.. it used to be super fun, like a 4-5 day wedding :)
My fav part of Diwali is bhaubeej where sisters pray for the well-being of their brothers (incl. cousins), and get ahem, gifts in return. There is also a day called padwaa where wives pray for ther husbands.. and surprise surprise.. get a gift from him ;) Hmm.. wonder what my hubby has got me this year..
padwaa is same to karwa chauth? How many days of the festival? Is the Dasehra part of Diwali?
No padwaa is different, it's celebrated in Maharashtra. Karva chauth is celebrated more in North India and is not part of Diwali. Diwali is 4 days generally.. it varies because it's based on the lunar calendar and sometimes two occasions overlap (for example padwaa and bhaubeej may fall on the same day, though they are different celebrations within Diwali). Different cultures have different celebrations during Diwali, but the essence remains the same - triumph of good over evil. And of course beautifully lit up houses, earthen lamps,, firecrackers, and yummy food.
Dasehra is a separate festival. It falls just before Diwali.
No padwaa is different, it's celebrated in Maharashtra. Karva chauth is celebrated more in North India and is not part of Diwali. Diwali is 4 days generally.. it varies because it's based on the lunar calendar and sometimes two occasions overlap (for example padwaa and bhaubeej may fall on the same day, though they are different celebrations within Diwali). Different cultures have different celebrations during Diwali, but the essence remains the same - triumph of good over evil. And of course beautifully lit up houses, earthen lamps,, firecrackers, and yummy food.
Dasehra is a separate festival. It falls just before Diwali.
Yes now I remember Dasehra is for remembering killing of Ravan by Bhagwan Rama and Diwali is for Bhagwan Rama's return to Ayodhiya.
You said that Diwali is celebrated differently in South and North? Isn't it a North Indian festival as related to Ayodhiya?
You said that Diwali is celebrated differently in South and North? Isn't it a North Indian festival as related to Ayodhiya?
Not really.. may be the North Indian version is better known because of Bollywood and the Indian media :)
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus throughout India. The rituals and celebrations differ quite a bit though.
Not really.. may be the North Indian version is better known because of Bollywood and the Indian media :)
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus throughout India. The rituals and celebrations differ quite a bit though.
Right. Just heard Big Boss saying to participants 'aap sab ko choti diwali ki kamnayen'. Are there stages like 'choti Diwali', 'BaRi diwali'. I never heard that in bollywood.. This might be South Indian version.
The day before Diwali is called choti Diwali (or Narak Chaturdashi in Maharashtra). Different rituals and terminology in different parts of the country..
They call Diwali ‘Diyari’ in Sindh and also refer it ito ThadRi (one which comes in / Brings winters) probably due to the fact that winter season starts alongwith Diyari in Sindh
Pics toh kheeche nahi…par we had nariyal barfi, karanji, and rawa ladoo in mithai. Also made anna-paayasam (chawal ka kheer with gur) for Prashad. Namkeen mei chaklis and dhokla. Kal mirchi ke bhajiye banaoongi, got some good looking mirchis today :D. I so miss my hometown Hyderabad whenever I think of these mirchi bhajiyas…
Dinner was simple, only some veg pulao with gaajar ka raita.
Dhokla is originally a gujju dish, but its quite widely accepted across India now…and its so damn easy to make that I make it quite often. I’ve kind of south-indianised it a little bit by garnishing it with a little fresh coconut and serve it with coconut chutney instead of mint chutney
Rawa laddoo is basically suji ke laddoo mixed with lots of ghee and dry fruits. Karanjis (known as karjalu in my language - Telugu) have a maida outer covering and an inner filling with fresh coconut and maawa and dry fruits and are deep fried in ghee.
This is not my pic, but here is a pic to give you an idea of chakli, karanji, and rawa laddoo.
Will make it on Bhai Dooj, which is celebrated parso :) I used to help my mom to make those jaaliyan as a kiddo and I used to serve it so proudly to everybody saying - maine apne haatho se banaaya hai :)
aap pic post kar dena yahan.. samajh lena hum tak pohunch gai