Cover story

pHoto: dANdApANi

November 2012 22 www.spiceroutemag.com

Star lit
WOR D S | U D i ta

The festival of lights is celebrated across the nation with equal gaiety and Amritsar, SpiceJets new destination can be a rather great experience.
JhUnJhUnWa l a

Diwali
here are numerous ways to celebrate Diwali (the festival of lights) in India. Lights, decorations, sweet preparations and exchanging gifts are some of the key activities during the countrys most vibrant festival. The markets can be seen teeming with people

buying gifts for friends and family and the streets lined with strings of lights and decorations. Market places in every city adorn a colourful blanket as people purchase vibrant orange marigolds from piles of blooms on the ground.

23

Cover story

On Diwali, people make colourful rangolis in front of their houses to welcome goddess Lakshmi

cherished moments of your life to have a slice of Pink Citys version of Diwali. You can explore the highly embellished markets to find at least 2,000 different varieties of earthen lamps in the form of deities, birds and animals. Each year, a contest is held to award the best-decorated market here. Amritsar and Delhi are also worth a visit with the Golden temple all lit up and the many national monuments illuminated with neon lights in the respective cities. Down south, the industrial town of Virudhunagar near Madurai, is known to provide the logistics support to the fireworks that take place all over the country! About 90 per cent of Indias fireworks solutions, which are mainly showcased on Diwali, come from the factories of Sivakasi. Shyama Puja or Kali Puja is Kolkatas answer to Diwali. A day prior to the puja, huge pandals, little candles, diyas, and small-decorated electric bulbs, light up the city of joy. On the day of the puja, firecrackers cover the sky displaying a fascinating array of fireworks. For our celebrities too, Diwali means some shopping, family time and enjoying the indulgences that define this festival new clothes, sweets, and firecrackers. Here is how some of them celebrate the festival:

SuShil Kumar, wreStler

I make sure I spend every Diwali with my family my parents, brothers and my wife. For all of us Diwali is a time to get together and celebrate as a family. Also I love how the city comes alive with lights during this festive season. Every Diwali I count my blessings, how lucky I am to have such an amazing family and of course God has been very kind to me in every way.

On the occasion of Diwali, people gather around the ghats of Varanasi and light thousands of diyas
Once the shopping is done, its time for the family celebration across the country. But, of late, people are ready to leave their home boundaries to experience the different flavour of Diwali festivities offered by neighbouring states and make their festival a memorable one. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in her various forms in different states. For instance, in Varanasi - the holy city of India - its 50 odd ghats are illuminated with thousands of diyas (earthen lamps) transforming the proverbial city of lights into mesmerizing reality on Diwali evening. It could also be one of the
November 2012 24 www.spiceroutemag.com

Cover story

Yaami Gautam, model & actor

This year I am looking forward to being with my family in Chandigarh, but that can happen only if I am through with my shooting in Tamil Nadu. Chandigarh is very bright during Diwali, just like it was when I was a kid, with oil lamps, noise, new clothes and sweets. Thats the only time of the year when I dont mind traffic. I love everything about Diwali; the preparation, shopping, buying gifts, making sweets and getting excited about all the gifts that you get. Though the noise pollution disturbs me. If I am not home, and away somewhere, then I do Lakshmi puja and light a candle or diya and offer sweets.

miniSSha lamba, actor

When I was a kid, I used to start celebrating Diwali a month in advance. I would go to the market with my dad and buy lots of crackers. Also, I just cant forget how eagerly I used to wait for the vacations. I still miss that excitement. However, now that I am grown up, I like celebrating a noiseless Diwali, as I dont like crackers. We will have a brightly lit evening followed by a lavish dinner with family. As I was traveling all through the year with friends, this Diwali I would love to be my family and celebrate at home. We also perform the traditional Lakshmi puja each year, religiously.
November 2012 26 www.spiceroutemag.com

pHoto: SHArAd GuptA

Cover story

Sameera reddY, actor

Diwali is one of my most favourite festivals. Its the festival of lights and marks the beginning of many auspicious rituals in Hinduism. However, some people use this festival to create a lot of noise and air pollution, and thats something I dont support. This is one festival where I give into my cravings and indulge in sweets. I always look forward to the card parties and family gatherings. Apart from all the fun and frolic, the Lakshmi puja is a ritual that is followed in the Reddy household.

Gauhar Khan, tV actor

I have quite a few fond memories of Diwali like great get-togethers with friends and family. We dont believe in spending too much money on crackers, hence I usually go to my friends place and have a safe and fun filled Diwali with them. I also love all the sweets that are made during this festival. This Diwali I am shifting to my new place and I hope I finish everything before Diwali. As I am Muslim, we dont really celebrate at our home, but I like to help my friends for Diwali preparations. Also I like to dress up in Indian clothes to celebrate with my Hindu friends.

aShwin SanGhi, author

As a writer I spend my days in the pursuit of Saraswati. During Diwali, I don my business cap and worship Lakshmi. Diwali tends to be hectic because of visits and assorted pujas at office and home. I also remember old times when our extended family would meet for Diwali in Jodhpur, my familys ancestral home. I cannot forget the incredible times that we spent with our huge families and children. And every Diwali, I firmly resolve not to over indulge only to realize that history has repeated itself, much like the recurring theme in my books.

November 2012 28 www.spiceroutemag.com

Cover story

Special aarti on Diwali at Varanasi

Vijender SinGh, boxer

Diwali is always a special occasion. It is a festival of togetherness and for me it is about being together with my close friends and family. This year, Diwali puja will be with my family followed by an evening of celebration with close friends and family. After all the celebration I might go off to Kerala with my wife Archana.

Shradha Kapoor, actor

As kids, Diwali meant fun time with cousins, friends and lots of crackers of course, but the best moments were when wed watch the fireworks display on the beach against the backdrop of the sea from my living room window, as I live right on Juhu Beach in Mumbai. They were always spectacular and wed all be wide-eyed. This year I will try to spend time with my family, but I am in the middle of filming Aashiqui 2 so it maybe tough. But we all will definitely get together for puja and dinner. The food and sweets at my grandfathers house are always something to look forward to.
November 2012 30 www.spiceroutemag.com