Celebrating festivals or praying through poojas is really not my cup of tea because I like my prayers simple and direct. I find it more distracting to my concentration when there are too many rituals involved. Also, I am not able to understand their significance in relating directly to God. Of course, different people have different ways of connecting to God and I respect that.
Diwali is a festival that is celebrated grandly in North India. Ever since I came to Delhi, I have been a part of it too though not in the conventional sense. This year, as my son Jyotiraditya seemed to crave for real celebration, we did a couple of things that excited him and thrilled us to see his joy.
1. We got the home decorated with colorful lights. My son was so thrilled that he wouldn't move from the door and wanted the lights to go on twinkling throughout the night.
2. We got Cadbury chocolate packs for his friends in the society where we live. The independent guy that he is, he went and gave it to each of his friends.
3. We always light beautiful diyas for Diwali but this time, we got him to help us choose the diyas and also be part of helping us while we lit it. That got his total involvement and yes, a little bit of creative thinking about where to place the flower shaped diya and where to place the urn shaped ones:)
Since we believe that firecrackers are fun but harmful for the environment, we didn't get him that. However, our neighbors shared some with him and he loved it so much that it got me thinking whether I should deny that joy to him when all others kids seemed to be enjoying with firecrackers.
However, I still feel that while it is fun, there is still an apprehension about supporting something that is so harmful for the environment. All said and done, we had a happy Diwali and hope that you did too, with your friends and loved ones.
12 comments:
The crackers have been tough one for us too, we give in finally. Chhavi too loves the lights and does not let us switch it off till she falls asleep!
Good to hear that you all had a great Diwali.
First, Happy diwali to you and your family. Your son wants to celebrate and enjoy the occasion. Why not? You did the right thing for him.
That's a nice post with your perspective on celebrations. I doubt if I would be able to fore-go crackers for the sake of env. Kudos to you.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and appreciate you taking the time to comment on mine.
Happy Diwali.
Nice to know that you all had a great Diwali...
Give in to fire crackers next year...you kid will miss it so much otherwise that it will be a wish unfulfilled...
Good to hear that you had a great time with family.
Give in buddy...kids are always kids. don't deny them the simple pleasures. You can practice modernization, give him some but not too many. that way he will have fun lighting crackers and you are not hurting the environment too much too...
We stopped buying crackers very long ago as my son lost interest when he was in school. But this Diwali I got a huge pack from our friend which I took to Kochi and shared with all my relations.
very happy to know Aditya enjoyed it.
Not just independent, your son is obviously kind and generous as well.
@Mridula - thanks, good to have your thoughts on this.
@SG - thanks!
@Geeta - Thanks, its nice to have your feedback.
@Aparna, @Stranger - Been thinking the same, thanks.
@Petty - thanks so much, what a kind, thoughtful comment. Really appreciate it.
@Chitra- hope everyone in Kochi loved that sweet package you took back home.
I have noticed you changed your pic. Would love to see the 3 of you. I like this pic also.
@SG - of course, will upload, liked your suggestion, tx!
Celebrate every Deepavali in grand manner! Children really enjoy diwali. I still remember how much pains we will take to show case the way we celebrate Deepavai, with all the budget constraints those days! Get up so early in the morning and burst crackers so that you can have the credit of being the first one to do it in your colony.. only that you have done it just after midnight, to achieve that goal!
@Subu - Thx! Great suggestions, will keep it in mind and work towards it.
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