<p>Bangaloreans say that there is more to Deepavali than just bursting crackers <br /><br /></p>.<p>There is something about festive seasons. The City wears a bridal look as almost every street is decorated with colourful lights. People are seen shopping for diyas, <br />flowers, gifts and decorative items for their homes. <br /><br />They are also euphoric making travel plans or thinking of ways to celebrate the festival in the City. Metrolife speaks to some Bangaloreans to know their plans for Deepavali.<br /><br />Nandini, who works for an online company says, “This is my first Deepavali after <br />marriage and I am very excited. Though, as grown-ups, we need to be environment-friendly, Deepavali is no fun without crackers. It is always associated with bursting crackers, so one cannot give up on that. There will also be a Lakshmi puja at home. When it comes to food, the menu will have Kajjaya. In the evening, there will be a get-together of family and friends.”<br /><br />Many people in the City have plans to go back to their hometowns and celebrate the festival with their family.<br /><br />Ashwani Deswal, a corporate trainer, says, “I am going back to Delhi for a week to celebrate Deepavali. We will decorate the house with diyas, have puja, and then party. <br /><br />We will be exchanging gifts and in the evening, there will be music and dance. However, we make it a point not to burst crackers as it is not environment-friendly.”<br /><br />Deepavali celebrations of senior citizens has always been the same. Children in the house burst crackers, whereas, the elders watch them joyfully. Sarala, a senior citizen, says, “To me, Deepavali is all about watching my grandson Abhay bursting crackers. <br />Every time the cracker bursts, there is immense joy on his face, I love watching him. And for a woman, the major work is in the kitchen. I will prepare kosambari, payasa, and the family’s favourite – holige.”<br /><br />Reshma, a dancer, feels it is fun to celebrate Deepavali with friends. She says, “First, I decorate the house with colourful lights and this time, there are many varieties of beautiful earthen lamps available in the market. After the puja at home, I will go to my friend’s house to burst crackers. I think Deepavali is incomplete without friends, for every small thing, we run to a friend, and at the time of festival, we cannot exclude them.”</p>
<p>Bangaloreans say that there is more to Deepavali than just bursting crackers <br /><br /></p>.<p>There is something about festive seasons. The City wears a bridal look as almost every street is decorated with colourful lights. People are seen shopping for diyas, <br />flowers, gifts and decorative items for their homes. <br /><br />They are also euphoric making travel plans or thinking of ways to celebrate the festival in the City. Metrolife speaks to some Bangaloreans to know their plans for Deepavali.<br /><br />Nandini, who works for an online company says, “This is my first Deepavali after <br />marriage and I am very excited. Though, as grown-ups, we need to be environment-friendly, Deepavali is no fun without crackers. It is always associated with bursting crackers, so one cannot give up on that. There will also be a Lakshmi puja at home. When it comes to food, the menu will have Kajjaya. In the evening, there will be a get-together of family and friends.”<br /><br />Many people in the City have plans to go back to their hometowns and celebrate the festival with their family.<br /><br />Ashwani Deswal, a corporate trainer, says, “I am going back to Delhi for a week to celebrate Deepavali. We will decorate the house with diyas, have puja, and then party. <br /><br />We will be exchanging gifts and in the evening, there will be music and dance. However, we make it a point not to burst crackers as it is not environment-friendly.”<br /><br />Deepavali celebrations of senior citizens has always been the same. Children in the house burst crackers, whereas, the elders watch them joyfully. Sarala, a senior citizen, says, “To me, Deepavali is all about watching my grandson Abhay bursting crackers. <br />Every time the cracker bursts, there is immense joy on his face, I love watching him. And for a woman, the major work is in the kitchen. I will prepare kosambari, payasa, and the family’s favourite – holige.”<br /><br />Reshma, a dancer, feels it is fun to celebrate Deepavali with friends. She says, “First, I decorate the house with colourful lights and this time, there are many varieties of beautiful earthen lamps available in the market. After the puja at home, I will go to my friend’s house to burst crackers. I think Deepavali is incomplete without friends, for every small thing, we run to a friend, and at the time of festival, we cannot exclude them.”</p>