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    A visiter is invited to join a family's Diwali celebrations

    Photos from India

    There are [5] photos from India

    After dinner, the family, their household staff of three and I went into the front courtyard to set off fireworks and sparklers. The far side of the house hasn’t been renovated yet and went from spooky and dark to splendidly lit up as fireworks exploded in the air. The sound of fireworks rang out in every direction that night in the otherwise sleepy city of Mukundgarh. Views[296] My host’s son carefully lights tea lights in the dramatic archway at the entrance to the haveli while his sister twirls to show off her party skirt. Soon after sunset we had filled every alcove and stairway in the front courtyard of the haveli with twinkling lights. Views[291] The children’s mother, resplendent in a deep red sari, paints a white rangoli design in the entranceway to the haveli. This is meant to bring luck and to welcome Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, into their home for the Diwali celebrations. When she was finished she handed me the brush and watercolor paint and let me create a design in the opposite doorway. The 150 year old walls, with their crumbling plaster and paint work, are a lovely backdrop. Views[1206] Candles are lit in the central courtyard of the haveli while my host’s two young children look on. I love the orange glow of the light reflecting up from the marigolds into her face and how intently her younger brother is observing the flames being transferred from one candle to the next. Many of the photographs I took that night are, like this one, focused in on the subject, highlighting small details in the scene that are so touching, emphasizing the intimacy of these family moments and taking advantage of the beautiful candlelight. Views[327] This year I spent Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, with an Indian family in a restored 150-year old haveli in eastern Rajasthan. We lit candles and tea lights around the house, painted designs in the doorways to welcome Lakshmi and gathered in front of the family's shrine to offer puja or prayers and songs. After dinner, the front yard was ablaze with fireworks and sparklers. It felt like Christmas and the 4th of July all rolled into one luminous evening and it was wonderful not only to witness the celebrations but to take part in them with the family. On this silver thaali are some of the items used by the family in worship: a diya or clay lamp filled with oil and a cotton wick dipped in ghee, puffed rice and marigolds. Views[803]
     

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