Diwali.......in Mumbai

We celebrated Diwali or Deepavali as called in South India on 27 Oct 2008, Monday at Mumbai, India. This was our first Diwali on my own. We got up early, had oil bath, pooja in the morning, new dresses for both of us and fire crackers, all as usual. In the night we burnt the fire crackers with another tamil family living on the same building. It was fun!! because for the North Indians the Diwali was yet to begin!!!! and our housing complex has majority North Indians.... I would it was odd for us to celebrate Diwali one day earlier than the rest but we got to follow the system~

The next day 28 Oct 2008, North Indians celebrated Diwali and we had expected full of fire crackers during the day... We were expecting that the sound of fire crackers is going to make us mad... but you will not believe there was no sound - it was like a sunday - during the day. No people on the road, cars were off... we were surprised and wondered where all the people had gone. Then came the evening, the sounds started around 8.00 pm and the colourful rockets invaded the sky from all around.... It was the time that the North Indians began to celebrate in full style. There was lights, sound and action all around with the mist sorrounding the region.... anyone flying above on the flights could have actually enjoyed the spectacular evening yesterday. We enjoyed it watching them lit the flower pots, rockets, chakkars and colourful sticks.

I think I am slowly beginning to understand the culture of North Indians. All their functions, auspicious occasions and celebrations are reserved for the evening/night. The day time is for the prayers and preparing for the night. The North Indians weddings are during night, the ganesh chathurthi celebration was during night time, the dussera or navrathri was celebrated the same and now Diwali is also celebrated during night time. I guess almost all of them sleep only after midnight during occasions! whereas if you look at South India everyone is into bed by 10 pm on any occasions (except the singles). Singles have their own agenda!!!!