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Re: diwali?
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To: alt-hindu@uunet.uu.net
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Subject: Re: diwali?
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From: lchiluku@ucsd.edu (R. & L. Chilukuri)
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Date: 29 Mar 1995 06:17:52 GMT
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From news@network.ucsd.edu Wed Mar 29 01: 07:08 1995
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Newsgroups: alt.hindu
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Organization: Univ of California at San Diego
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References: <3ko23i$q92@ucunix.san.uc.edu>
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>I am a pupil at Swakeleys school. How do you celebrate Diwali ?
>Pavinder Kaur Bhinder
Here are my memories from South India:
The whole family wakes up early in the morning (5 AM).
All have traditional "head" baths. A "head" bath consists of rubbing in
oil, scrubbing with besam powder, and finally soap-nut (shikakai). New
clothes are then worn by all.
A small pooja follows, at the family altar. We then go out and exchange
sweets with neighbours and friends. (Mom had to work hard the previous
day!).
Kids usually spent the afternoon comparing each other's hoard of fire
crackers. Fire crackers are usually purchased about a week in advance,
and set out each afternoon to dry in the hot sun. I clearly remember tall
tales about whose hoard would make the loudest bang, animated
discussions about the size and colors of flower-pots, wheels etc.
Lunch was a feast - credit due to Mom again!
Rows of small oil lamps would be set out on parapets, balcony walls,
fences etc., to be lit at dusk. Besides clay lamps, we would carve out
little lamps in the soft bark of a banana tree.
At dusk, we would begin the festivities by first performing a ritual that
appeared to be unique to Telugu families. We would tie little strips of
cloth to "gongora" plants, The strips of cloth would then be lit with one
of the many lamps. Each family member would hold one lighted plant in
each hand, whirl them about a few times and finally beat them against the
ground till the flames were extinguished. I do not know the exact
significance of this, but can clearly remember the telugu chants.
Immediately after the above ritual, we would have to wash our hands and
feet, go indoors and eat a small sweet (Mom again!). Now we were free to
start the fireworks.
Bravado, fear, risk - all combined to give an unparallelled thrill to the
fireworks. We would try exploding "bombs" within tin cans, try to "aim"
rockets, try to hold the "machine-gun" firecracker streams in our hands -
just plain recklessness.
I always remembered being surprised at how quickly the fireworks
dissappeared!
Hope the above comments helped. Perhaps they will initiate discussion
Best wishes
Krish Chilukuri
