The Festival of Lights and Little Delights

For as long as I can remember, Diwali has always been: a week of no school (and of course pointless "Holiday Homework"), lots of fried snacks and sweets, firecrackers, new clothes, rangolis, family get-togethers, gifts and, well, overall festive vibes. As a kid, my Diwali would usually begin by waking up early (especially on Naraka Chaturdashi and having oil baths), a beautiful banana leaf spread lunch, fried snacks in the evening, calls and messages from all relatives, lighting of diyas, bursting of firecrackers with neighborhood friends (and occasional burning of fingers and dresses), wishing Happy Diwali to all neighbors and sometimes getting chocolates in return (we were smart kids), doing lots of poojas and mandatory sibling fights over every decision-making the kids were asked to be involved in.

A week before Diwali, the actual prep and panic would begin: entire house cleaning (meaning they would find all the wrappers that you once buried under the sofa or bed and behind that cupboard, thinking you'll put them later in the dustbin), buying of gifts and akashkandil/gooddeepa and clothes (meaning going to countless stores to get what you and everyone liked), lots of festive cooking and firecracker purchases (aka: the best parts of Diwali), decorating houses, and whatnot. 

School discussions during these days were their own special joy. We'd eagerly compare notes about who's buying what firecrackers or who's getting what kind of clothes. There would be excited chatter about the kind of akashkandil/gooddeepa they got for that Diwali, what special snacks were being made at their homes, or where they were going to celebrate Diwali. Ahhh, those days!

But over the years, a lot of things have changed, including Diwali; but that is what change is about, I guess. What remains with you when you grow up are memories and nostalgia. Some things change for the better, while some don't, but you accept them and just sit near the window, with that cup of evening tea or coffee and a plate of snacks, remembering those days when you would be complaining to all your relatives about the point of holidays when those teachers would give you homework.