Diwali along the Rhine
When a friend recently asked me to write about Diwali for a cultural association, I was a bit bewildered. What does one say about a festival that has been written threadbare, pictured galore, filmed a million times?
In fact, every act of 'capturing' it and its essence has been done unto death.
But then there is yet that one nondescript aspect which probably calls for illumination from a tiny diya and it is my attempt here to illuminate that forgotten niche with a panti (earthen lamp filled with oil and lit with a wick).
What is it like to celebrate Diwali along the Rhine?
Of course one is trying to recreate home with all its 'sights', 'sounds' and of course the familiar 'fragrances' associated with the festivity. Homes are scrubbed clean and beautiful rangolis adorn doorways to mark the festivity. Scores of lights flicker through the night as the Goddess of Bounty comes calling. What cinnamon is to Christmas, the fragrance of ghee, toasted besan and fried chaklis is to diwali. In fact, diwali won't be quite as much diwali minus these fragrances. And yes, did I mention sounds? That's one thing that I don't particularly miss, in fact I am only too happy to give it a miss here in Bonn.
Diwali in India is a riot of loud, exploding and nerve wrecking sounds, the purpose of which has eluded me thus far.
The beauty of the festival lies in the multiple avatars it takes throughout the Subcontinent. While some regions of the country celebrate it over a day or two, others have celebrations that last well into five days.
For the sake of convenience (and the release of Hindi films) Laxmipujan or the new moon day on which the Goddess of wealth, Laxmi is worshipped, is celebrated as the grand fiesta.
Diwali in Germany is unique in its flavor and style of celebration. It usually coincides with Autumn and one wakes up to crisp mornings and a gentle, mellowed down sun. The earth is a riot of warm colors, and the sun its most tranquil mellow honey hued self.
I've been in Bonn for almost 9 years now, but I can never forget my 'first' diwali here. It was a first in every sense and Diwali in the truest sense. A very dear friend took my husband and I to our very first trip of the Ahrweihler on Laxmipujan alias Diwali day. I had only read of Autumn and its many hued marvels until then. This was the first time I experienced it, up, close and very very personal.
We spent a day meandering like the lazy Ahr through the vineyards, walking some, eating, taking in the crisp Autumn air, and marveling at the pristine beauty all around. We must have headed back around 7 or so in the evening and were treated to the most mouth watering dinner of payasam and puris. The best so far. It was truly home away from home.
In fact, every act of 'capturing' it and its essence has been done unto death.
But then there is yet that one nondescript aspect which probably calls for illumination from a tiny diya and it is my attempt here to illuminate that forgotten niche with a panti (earthen lamp filled with oil and lit with a wick).
What is it like to celebrate Diwali along the Rhine?
Of course one is trying to recreate home with all its 'sights', 'sounds' and of course the familiar 'fragrances' associated with the festivity. Homes are scrubbed clean and beautiful rangolis adorn doorways to mark the festivity. Scores of lights flicker through the night as the Goddess of Bounty comes calling. What cinnamon is to Christmas, the fragrance of ghee, toasted besan and fried chaklis is to diwali. In fact, diwali won't be quite as much diwali minus these fragrances. And yes, did I mention sounds? That's one thing that I don't particularly miss, in fact I am only too happy to give it a miss here in Bonn.
Diwali in India is a riot of loud, exploding and nerve wrecking sounds, the purpose of which has eluded me thus far.
The beauty of the festival lies in the multiple avatars it takes throughout the Subcontinent. While some regions of the country celebrate it over a day or two, others have celebrations that last well into five days.
For the sake of convenience (and the release of Hindi films) Laxmipujan or the new moon day on which the Goddess of wealth, Laxmi is worshipped, is celebrated as the grand fiesta.
Diwali in Germany is unique in its flavor and style of celebration. It usually coincides with Autumn and one wakes up to crisp mornings and a gentle, mellowed down sun. The earth is a riot of warm colors, and the sun its most tranquil mellow honey hued self.
I've been in Bonn for almost 9 years now, but I can never forget my 'first' diwali here. It was a first in every sense and Diwali in the truest sense. A very dear friend took my husband and I to our very first trip of the Ahrweihler on Laxmipujan alias Diwali day. I had only read of Autumn and its many hued marvels until then. This was the first time I experienced it, up, close and very very personal.
We spent a day meandering like the lazy Ahr through the vineyards, walking some, eating, taking in the crisp Autumn air, and marveling at the pristine beauty all around. We must have headed back around 7 or so in the evening and were treated to the most mouth watering dinner of payasam and puris. The best so far. It was truly home away from home.
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