The kids enjoy themselves the most. Lots of school holidays, lots of money and mitae(sweets).
The mood starts setting in days before with Dusshera, every area has its Ramlila going on, on parks, side paths etc. Kids get a chance to sit late and watch these
acts.
Excitment starts growing as soon as the metres high effigies of the ten headed Ravan + 2 others (the bad guys) start being built in all most all parks. These are filled with Patakas (bombs & fireworks). On the due date everyone is out there watching 'Ram" shooting his arrow towards the effigies. The fireworks are thrilling the whole city viberates with firecrackers all over and smoke fills the sky.
Family members (Business customers/suppliers) etc go to each others houses with Barfi &sweets or baskets of fruit. Kids are the lucky ones, each visitor would give some cash to the kids.
New clothes are worn by all, rich & poor. Generally something new is bought for the Kichen-pot, pan anything. In the evening the adults play cards with money(not sure how this came about), most drink & eat, and make merry with family members. (a few families consider this an auspitious day, and do not serve non vegitarian).
In the evening, the kids start lighting the whole house with diyas or candles and the whole street & city looks beautifuly lit up. All the government buildings are lit up. The shopping areas are covered with garlands/flowers and everyone is out. The streets are overflowing with people.
Those were good memories-here in Australia, Diwali(working day) was fun, but not the same…
I can relate the whole write up to me…good old days! You forgot Laksmi pooja.
Also Govardhan pooja and Tikka follow after dewali !
I miss Ramlila. I still remember a dialogue during Angad episode when one of the Rawan camp guy tries to move his foot and start by saying " panv me itna dam hai , papad ko tod doon - hathon me itna dam hai nimboo nichod doon - ye pair to kaya, poor pahad tod doon . !!! ha ha ha !! maharaja rawan ki jai !!!
Everything is allowed in dewali if its not a public nuisanse. But most of north indians dont take non veg & avoid drinks during all religious festival. Except Holi- my favourite !
