Celebrate India Diwali with Yatra.

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Travelling is not something I do for me it just happens. When you spend over 5 months in a year travelling and that too most of the times without your parents permission, it is legitimate for them to be annoyed. Yet they choose not to restrain me, for which I am extremely thankful. However, being away from home during Diwali,is pushing my luck a little too far and stretching their patience too. If it hadnt been for the excuse of visiting the Kota Dussherafestival, it wouldve been practically impossible for me to get out of the town during the festive season. And once I was out, there was no coming back before Diwali from Kota. I headed straight to the city of The Golden Temple, Amritsar (the experience more than made up for the colossal amount of scolding I had to bear when I got back home). The day, on which Lord Rama returned to his kingdom in Ayodhya after spending 14 years in exile, vanquishing the demon Lord Ravana and rescuing his wife Sita from the demons clutches, is the day that has been celebrated as Diwali from time immemorial. Being a moonless night (Amavas), all Ayodhyan citizens lit up lamps all over the city and decorated it, to welcome them. Till date the same tradition is followed, although with major improvements. Nowadays, instead of just lamps, fancy candles, lights and fire crackers are used to light up the moonless night. However, the festival of Diwali symbolizes above all, the victory of good over evil. Amritsar is predominantly a city with an overwhelming Sikh population, but that does not hinder them from joining in the festivities. During the time ofDiwali, it is just like any other Indian city.In fact many people might not know that the festival of Diwali has special significance for the Sikhsas well and is known by the name of Bandi Chhorh Divas. Coincidently it was on the day ofDiwali that the 6thSikh Guru Hargobind Singh returned to Amritsar with another 52 kings who were imprisoned along with him by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. For this very reason the celebrations of Diwali are all the more delightful in Amritsar and also because Punjabis have a very rich, colourful and loud culture. They let no festive opportunity to go waste even if it is not one from their own culture. One extraordinary aspect of Sikh male attire that cannot escape your notice is their colourful turban. It is amazing that a turban

irrespective of its colour, if wore properly, will match clothes of any colour and shade. It seriously messed up whatever little sense of fashion I had.forever. Returned to his kingdom in Ayodhya after spending 14 years in exile, vanquishing the demon Lord Ravana and rescuing his wife Sita from the demons clutches, is the day that has been celebrated as Diwali from time immemorial. Being a moonless night (Amavas), all Ayodhyan citizens lit up lamps all over the city and decorated it, to welcome them. Till date the same tradition is followed, although with major improvements. Nowadays, instead of just lamps, fancy candles, lights and fire crackers are used to light up the moonless night. However, the festival of Diwali symbolizes above all, the victory of good over evil. Its time for a serious question. What makes a happy traveller truly happy? Is it the touristy spots, the markets, the local people, the local festivals etc. etc.? I dont think so. What really does the trick is.wait for itFOOD and what better place than Amritsar to indulge your taste buds to their limit. However if you are a health conscious individual, Amritsari food is definitely not for you. It seems as if almost each and every recipe has either one of the following ingredients..ghee or malai or makhhan. Undoubtedly, Amritsar offers one of the most delectable cuisines in the Indian subcontinent. The stuffed kulchas, the lassi, the sweets, the puri, the halwa are some of the few eatable items that should not be missed at any cost. If you are not from Amritsar (like me) be ready to have the worst stomach issues (still, totally worth it). Over eating is a way of life there and for that very reason, every time I visited any local dhaba, being a foodie myself, I felt right at home. Its a paradise on earth for all those who LOVE to eat. Apart from the fancy turbans and finger-licking delicious fattening food, Amritsar has a lot more to offer. Starting and ending your trip with a visit to the Golden temple is what I would suggest. It is the holiest place for the Sikhs throughout the world. When we say the Golden Temple it is not merely symbolic but literal in its implications because the entire central complex of the golden temple is covered with solid gold. Trust me no image or picture can ever do justice to its grandeur, you have to see it to believe it. Then there is the Wagah Border between India and Pakistan, where the most spectacular and seemingly aggressive retreat ceremony called lowering the flags is held every evening. It will be very difficult to not be overwhelmed by the patriotic fervor while witnessing that ceremony. Last but not the least, there is the Jalianwala Bagh. It is the greatest memorial to all those innocent freedom fighters who laid down their lives for their countrys independence.

The scale of Diwali celebrations is unparalleled by any other festival in India. It is the most important festival for Hindus throughout the world. The preparations begin almost a month in advance all across the country, starting primarily with cleaning up of every nook and corner of the house. Excessive & compulsive shopping for self-consumption & gifting purpose, during a time of heavy festive offers & discounts, is a trademark feature of Diwali celebrations all across the country and Amritsar is no different in this respect. Diwali is an occasion to exchange gifts with friends and relatives. In the age of call-centers,Diwali provides people with an opportunity to meet all those whom they havent met in a very long time. The most integral part of the Diwali celebrations is the Pooja. Aarti(prayers) is offered to the goddess of wealth & prosperity Laxmi and also to Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. I couldnt be a part of the Poojas because as mentioned earlier I wasnt at home and as a punishment I received no Diwali. It was certainly a very different Diwali than the one I have been used to celebrating all my life. There wasnt any pooja to be attended or friends and family to visit. There wasnt any house cleaning or mindless shopping. I ate wherever I wanted to, whatever I wanted to and roamed around in the noisy streets of an unknown city, all alone amongst strange people, no inhibitions, no bondages, just me with myself and in those moments I found my little piece of heaven. I wouldnt suggest anyone to follow in my footsteps and desert your family on such an important day, because I know I am a nutcase, but I would encourage everyone to travel once in a while to absolute strange places for no reason at all. Because I read somewhere a long time back To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.

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