Diwali 2017

This third week of October the Indians are celebrating Diwali. Diwali is a very ancient Hindu festival. Diwali or Deepavali means series of lights. This festival is celebrated all over India , and it is the most awaited festival. Though this the festival of lights,but no festival or celebration can be finished without delicious food.So,before the festival, all the Indians clean their homes, decorate, and make many sweets, and yummy snacks. If I don't mention the two main decorations, then the story will be unfinished.Those two are 'Toran', and 'Rangoli'.They put decorations on the top of door frame of the front door of the house which is called “Toran”. We know ,Indians love colors. So, in their any festival, there must be some colors. When this is the biggest festival, no doubt, they make it very colorful by putting some colorful designs on the porch or doorway  as well as on floors of other rooms in the house. It depends on the one’s wish. These colorful designs, called Rangoli, are usually created by a powdered material which usually comes in many colors.

The part I’m from of India used to celebrate Kaali Puja, (worshipping goddess Kaali), but nowadays we also celebrate Diwali, along with Kaalipuja. They also put Rangoli, but we usually create the designs not by powder, but with a batter made out of rice flour. Rice flour is known as very auspicious.

The people of other parts of India worship Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Laxmi. Lord Ganesha is the god of prosperity, fortune, and success. Laxmi is the goddess of wealth. During this festival we lilt up candles,and Diyas (another form of candle). Lighting up diyas, bursting fire crackers, exchanging gifts, visiting the relatives, and enjoying with savory sweets are the main attractions of the festival.

"Toran" made by kiddie

This year, due to the remodeling episode, I couldn’t do anything , but I made some sweets, which my son is liking a lot. I’m trying to put some candles just to lit up our minds, and to get rid of the stress of remodeling. 

This deep fried dish is call Nimki to Namak Para, made out of wheat flour

Moong dal laddu (yellow lentil balls), and semolina laddu

P.S. I’m not putting any rangoli, so, I cannot give any picture. However, if you want to see how it looks, just search ‘Rangoli’ in Google, you can get an idea.

carrot fudge