Flames dancing on the tips of earthen lamps. Diyas, or deeps. Deep, which gave the festival the name it is no longer known by– Deepavali.
Time was when cotton wicks soaked in vegetable oil threw the brightest light around. When a row of lighted lamps would catch the eye of even the most harried Goddess doing her rounds of the earth.
They still do. Incandescent bulbs may dispel the gloom much better, but earthen lamps still have a special charm which a LED tea-light can never match. And getting blown out in the breeze is only a part of it.
11 comments:
Beautiful! There is something magical and spiritual about candlelight...
@ Fiona - I always thought so too! Not particularly religious, but there is something to that flickering flame...
So pretty.
And your 'harried Goddess' brings up a great image! Love that...
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
You make me want to visit India something fierce.
Never ever stop telling us about the Indian festivals, Natasha! I so love hearing about them :) If I had one, I'd light a candle today too, but I guess I can wait one more week and two days...
Love the "harried Goddess" image too!
The painted diyas look so pretty:)
I did a wee bit of research after reading this post...what a lovely holiday! I am so enjoying learning from you. Have I said that? Sigh.
Another vote for your wonderful image of the 'harried Goddess'; lovely. There's nothing like a flickering flame, it draws people closer if only to get a better view.
Elspeth
beautiful pictures! and always a pleasure to hear about your rich and complex home!
@ Elizabeth - thank you. And yes, I do think Lakshmi must the most harried woman on Diwali day - imagine having to visit so many houses, savour their delicacies, make small talk, and leave her blessings.
@ Lisa - do. You wouldn't regret it.
@ Mari - you can light a candle any Friday evening, and Lakshmi will respond!
@ Charlotte - thank you, and welcome to the blog.
@ dipali - thank you. Kids and I did them on Diwali morn.
@ Heather - yes, you have. And thank you.
@ Elspeth - thank you, and yes, I just adore flickering flames. Why else do I continue to subject myself to them even with two tiny kids running around?
@ Jan - thank you.
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