A couple of photographs taken at the local market during the week long build up to Diwali, the Festival of Lights. More, many, many more, yet to come (that is a promise, and a threat).....
Happy Diwali, everyone.
Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Wealth, roams the Earth on Diwali evening, and enters all the houses that have been lit up with oil lamps to welcome her. Some people draw (or stick) her footprints at the entrance to their house to make sure she comes, and brings prosperity and happiness with her.
Diwali is when traditional businessmen open their new account books, after seeking the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi. Since Ganesha is the Lord of Auspicious Beginnings, he is also worshipped with Lakshmi on Diwali, to ensure that any new enterprise undertaken during the year is a fruitful one.
Clay idols of Lakshmi and Ganesh being sold in their polythene wrappings.
Traditionally, oil lamps were lit on Diwali, but increasingly, people have started decorating their houses with these colourful cloth and paper lanterns.
Diwali is the time to splurge, and each of these women is in search of a bargain! Plastic toy guns are perennial favourites with the kids (though mothers like me are worried their kids may decide to chew the ammunition).
Diwali related drabbles from last year -
Festival of Colours
Naraka ChaturdashiDiwali Sweets
6 comments:
I love these pictures! So many amazing colors. Have fun!
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Looks like SO much fun! I want a paper lantern.
So brilliant in color. How can anyone not smile and feel alive with all that color? Thank you for a wonderful burst of life this early Sat morning :-)
I’ll echo the theme of the prior comments. What pretty colors. That’s the first thing that strikes me. I was in Moscow in the dark days of the early 80s, and one of the things that stood out for me was the lack of color. Very drab…very. Thanks also for explaining Diwali. Love the idea of footprints. Very clever.
Best Regards, Galen
Imagineering Fiction Blog
Such vibrant colours speak to my heart!
@ Elizabeth - thanks. I did. Photographs during the course of the week.
@ Marjorie - a creative gal like you can easily make them, I am sure.
@ Lisa - the pleasure is entirely mine. Strangely, even people in India are blind to the beauty of many of these sights :-(
@ Galen - the one thing we do not lack right now is colour. But every year, I notice the dwindling of the palette - just hope it never goes the Moscow way.
@ Fiona - they do, don't they?
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