In cosmopolitan Bangalore, the festive season to cash in on the waves of economic prosperity. While some people use vacations to catch up with the latest at the movies, many others go the traditional way and spend time with the family and get into a spiritual mode.
The festival of lights is celebrated with gusto in the City. Regarded as an ancient festival, it has been celebrated for ages and its popularity is on the rise with each passing year. The glitters, the gifts, the joys and the high spirit associated with Diwali touches the life of one and all and everybody gets spontaneously involved in celebrating the triumph of good over evil.
Madhvi Gopinath, homemaker residing in Banashankari II stage says, “it is that time of the year where my children voluntarily leave their beds long before the day begins. They get into their festive attire after the traditional oil bath at 3 am, light up little oil lamps, candles and scented sticks (agarbathis), not to forget, the crackers and sparklers.
For my children and most of the youngsters, the other word for Diwali is fireworks.”
There is more to Deepavali than bursting crackers, says Preetham, a software developer from Isro layout. “For me, it is cleaning the house and decorating each room with flowers and lamps. It is a festival of togetherness where we meet our friends and relatives and share sweets and savouries.”
Shanta Vittaldas, homemaker residing in Wilson Garden for the past 65 years says, “We celebrate the festival for five days. On the first day we put 'Rangoli' at our doorstep or on the pavement outside our houses. We light oil-lamps and place them on these patterns to give it a finishing touch.
On the second day we have an oil-bath and exchange gifts which includes new clothes and jewellery. The third day is the main day of the festival where we go to the Shiva temple in the morning. After we offer our prayers to the lord we get to eat the sweets that is prepared and then we light the crackers and fireworks. The fourth day is the start of the Hindu new year.”
“We make sweets at home which is first offered to the lord at the Shiva temple and then consumed,” says A S Nanjappa, senior citizen, residing in the city for the past 65 years.
Like everything else, the City has its own distinctive flavour of the festival. No matter how the City changes or what surprises it has in store for us, the spirit of the festival that is uniquely Bangalorean will probably not die out!
