Yesterday, we put up the Deepavali lights. As we live on the 12th floor, the lights go on the balcony railing. So many other condo residents have also started putting up their Deepavali lights. Gurgaon looks all lit up !!
As expected, the smog is also being put up and the secular brigade has started its cultural misappropriation and distortion.
We have a gag order on fire crackers this year too…. somehow the smog descends whenever Deepavali is around. Mind you the dates change every year, but still the smog makes its appearance on time to bring the cracker ban. Why doesn’t the government allow green crackers ? Sivakasi cracker manufacturers have already developed these green crackers !
Today while browsing X I found this wonderful poster …
It seems the battery powering their light within has died down …. am henceforth wishing all those celebrating Eid with Jai Shri Ram and all those celebrating Christmas with Radhe Krishna. Appropriate, right ? Why this selective targeting of Hindu festivals ? Do read – Dharma Vs Adharma ≠ Good Vs Evil and remember the current VP and potential POTUS Kamala Harris wished us “Sal Mubarak” and “Diwali Mubarak” in 2020. In a technologically united world, it’s easy to break the cultural nuances to suit political agendas.
Two days back when I was flipping through the Flipboard app, this story caught my attention – Diwali recipe for mutton biryani with starfruit and bottle masala, by chef Radhika Khandelwal.
Seriously ?? Mutton Biryani on Diwali is NOT the Hindu way of celebrating the most important festival. If you thought the Lady Shri Ram college Diwali fest being named Noor is bad, this celebration of Diwali by making Mutton Biryani is worse :(:(.
Traditions are the way you sustain a culture. Am not talking religion here, even though it’s closely entwined. Deepavali is all about sweets, savouries, medicinal items and “vegetarian” food. Even those Hindus who eat non-vegetarian food everyday, will NOT eat it on Diwali.
The relentless attack on Hindu festivals continues … see the following pic. It’s about the benefits of fasting during Ramzan Vs the detrimental effect of fasting during Karva Chauth. I need another new brain to process this stupid logic, as my brain refuses to process this.
Does money addle one’s brain so much ???? I really can’t fathom what happens to these idiots who write such nonsense.
Deepavali and Sweets
Traditionally, Deepavali sweets were made AT HOME, by your Grandmother, your mother, aunts etc. The family got together and cooked. We NEVER bought sweets from shops. Even today, we don’t buy sweets for any festival. It’s always home made.
Only JAGGERY was used, never white sugar. For any “bhog” or as we say in the South “Naivedyam” or “prasad”, sugar SHOULD NOT be used because it’s bleached using chemicals. A humble request – Switch to jaggery. Sweets were distributed and you got a piece or two NOT A WHOLE BOX FULL.
Savouries were made at HOME. They were made in cold press Peanut oil or Coconut oil (for my Tamilian “bros” – chekku ennai) and NEVER with Palm oil or Dalda or other altu faltu poisonous “REFINED” oil. Do read – The (in)Edible Oils.
Cut to the Jashn-e-chiraag that we celebrate as Deepavali 🤬🤬 – approximately 40% of Haldiram’s and Bikanervala’s annual turnover is generated in these two weeks before Diwali. Several sweet shops all over the country pump you with sugar laden sweets and refined oil made savouries. Yes, white sugar and refined palm oil are NOT your FRIENDS. They lead to obesity, hypertension, diabetes and every other lifestyle disease one can think of. Btw, the Christmas Cakes are not healthier either – they have the other wonderful poison called “REFINED FLOUR” besides loads of sugar.
Other Deepavali Traditions
New clothes were bought every Deepavali. It meant something special. Now you buy clothes right through the year. At least de-clutter and give away a dress when you buy a new one.
The house was cleaned by the family members and de-cluttered every Deepavali. Please bring that tradition back. Don’t call Urban Company, but spend some time cleaning up. You will find treasures buried deep under your closets … and maybe get some movement in the process..
Take that “oil” bath. It helps your body to prepare itself, as the season changes to winter at this time.
Happy Deepavali “prep” everyone. Have a wonderful festival. May the lights burn bright, and may they shine some light on our ancient traditions that were in tune with Nature and helped us all to live a healthy life.
It is very sad to see that post by Shri ram college. How the management can allow this.
Yes Gopinath. It is very sad.
Noor !!! Really ????? These sickulars nauseate me! So tired of this appropriation, bad-mouthing and dilution of Hindu festivals and rituals. The brigade is overactive as always during Deepavali!! They never shut it do they!
Yeah Noor indeed and the Principal is a Hindu. Am sure Jamia Millia doesn’t celebrate Eid with a festival named Ram Navami – cannot understand this need to be an Indian secular. Secularism as a concept folds into Hinduism actually. But this brand of secularism is dangerous :(:(.