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

INDIA | Wednesday, 19 December 2012 | Views [311] | View Smaller Image

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.

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.

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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.

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

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