A House Full of Festivities

The saris are out, and so are the kurtas and the jewelry that spends most of the year in a box. There are lights to put up and people to meet, and somewhere in all the planning comes the big question: are we making the mithai this year, or buying it?

Navratri is wrapping up, Dussehra is here and Diwali is next. Garba and dandiya nights, pandal hopping, golu steps lined with dolls and Bathukamma flowers all bring their own celebrations. For Indians abroad, work and school carry on as usual, and we make time for these occasions anyway.

And then there's the food. Besan laddoos, kaju katli, gulab jamun, chakli and chivda: everyone has a favorite, and festive hospitality means being offered it more than once, sometimes three times.

The card parties deserve a mention too. We're all for an evening where everyone makes an effort to dress up and then spends most of it eating and talking. The cards get their turn eventually.

The calendar keeps going after Dussehra. Sharad Purnima, Kojagari Lakshmi Puja and Valmiki Jayanti come first, then Karwa Chauth and Ahoi Ashtami, then Dhanteras and Diwali. Kali Puja, Govardhan Puja and Annakut, Gujarati New Year and Bhai Dooj follow, and Chhath, Kartik Purnima, Dev Deepawali and Guru Nanak Gurpurab carry the season through November. Jains mark Mahavira's nirvana at Diwali, and Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, remembering Guru Hargobind's release.

We celebrate differently, but there is ALWAYS room to join each other. Atithi Devo Bhava, the guest is God, is something we grew up with, often in the form of someone insisting we stay for one more meal. A neighbor or friend who hasn't celebrated with you before would probably love the invitation.

The children should hear the stories too: why we celebrate good overcoming evil, and why we light up our homes. They can enjoy the dressing up and the sweets while learning what the occasion means.

A little consideration for neighbors and pets, care with the lights and a check of your local fireworks rules sit comfortably alongside the fun.

The festive season is here, folks. Get the lights up and the good clothes out, because we have a few BUSY weekends ahead. We hope you have people to celebrate with this season, and if someone you know doesn't, there's room at yours.

Happy Dussehra. The lights, the laddoos and the busy weekends are just getting started.

With love,

The SOSGI Family