INDIA | Wednesday, 19 December 2012 | Views [799] | View Larger Image
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.
